West Ham forward Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of alleged spot-fixing after being accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards to influence betting markets.
The English Football Association confirmed Thursday that an independent panel had found the charges unproven.
“Lucas Paqueta denied the charges against him, and the Regulatory Commission found them to be not proven following a hearing,” the FA said in a statement.
The ruling brings to an end a long-running case against the Brazil international, who was charged in May 2024.
The FA had claimed the 27-year-old Paqueta intentionally sought to be booked in four separate games — against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth between November 2022 and August 2023 “in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.”
Blackstone Chambers, representing Paqueta, said it was understood to be the longest case in FA history.
Paqueta was charged with breaches of FA Rule E5 related to integrity of matches and competitions.
The rule sates a participant “shall not, directly or indirectly, seek to influence for an improper purpose the result, progress, conduct or any other aspect of, or occurrence in or in connection with, a football match or competition.”
The panel did uphold two charges against Paqueta for failing to answer questions and provide information to the FA’s investigation. The governing body said it would determine an appropriate sanction at the earliest opportunity.
Full reasons for the verdict have not yet been published.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
James Robson, The Associated Press
