West Ham Star Lucas Paquetá Cleared of Spot-Fixing After Two-Year Probe

Posted on: August 1, 2025, 02:01h. 

Last updated on: August 1, 2025, 02:01h.

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  • FA-appointed panel finds no proof in yellow card scandal
  • Betting probe in Brazil ends without formal charges
  • Paquetá may seek damages for career, legal fallout

An independent regulatory commission has cleared Brazilian soccer star Lucas Paquetá of spot-fixing charges that could have ended his career, following a nearly two‑year investigation by England’s Football Association (FA).

Lucas Paqueta, Spot-fixing, Football Association (FA), Betting investigation, West Ham United
Lucus Paquetá, above, always denied the charges of spot-fixing that would have almost certainly ended his career. The FA had accused him of deliberately seeking to receive yellow cards to influence betting markets. (Image: West Ham United)

The West Ham midfield playmaker was charged by the FA last May with deliberately seeking to “receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market.”

The charges, which Paquetá always denied, were unprecedented in English soccer and would likely have resulted in a lifetime ban from the game had he been found guilty.

Charges “Not Proven”

The commission, convened by the FA, determined that the four counts of spot-fixing were “not proven.” However, the commission upheld two lesser charges related to the player’s failure to cooperate fully with the FA’s investigation – specifically, not answering questions and withholding information. The FA will follow up with a sanction, most likely a fine.

Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations,” Paqueta said in a statement issued by West Ham.

“I can’t say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face,” he added.

Suspicious Patterns

The FA triggered its probe in August 2023, after betting monitoring systems flagged unusual patterns around a yellow card the Brazilian received during West Ham’s draw at Bournemouth on August 12, 2023.

It later expanded to include bookings he received in three more games – against Leicester City on Nov. 12, 2022, Aston Villa on March 12, 2023, and Leeds United on May 21, 2023.

Many of the suspicious wagers originated in Paquetá Island in Brazil, where Paquetá was born and from where he took his name. These included bets from US$9 to US$550 on the player getting booked.

The scandal derailed a proposed transfer to Manchester City in the summer of 2023 for a rumored US$110 million and cast a long shadow over Paquetá’s career, causing significant reputational damage.

The legal ordeal also reportedly cost West Ham and Paquetá close to £1 million (US$1.3 million) in fees, which they now may seek to recover from the FA.

Family Members Named in Brazilian Probe

In Brazil, a Senate Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) into match‑fixing and betting manipulation investigated allegations that Paquetá’s uncle, Bruno Tolentino, and associates facilitated schemes involving payments to players like Luís Henrique in La Liga to simulate bookings.

The commission’s final report, issued in March 2025, recommended criminal indictments against Tolentino and two businessmen for breach of sports fraud laws punishable with prison terms up to six years.

Brazilian prosecutors did not press charges against Tolentino or any family members, and Paquetá himself was never formally targeted. The CPI concluded with no prosecutions or sanctions against the player or his relatives.