Lucas Paqueta learns fate over spot-fixing charges as two-year saga set to end

Lucas Paqueta is set to be cleared of spot-fixing, talkSPORT understands.

The West Ham midfielder had been under investigation by the FA.

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Paqueta was accused of deliberately getting himself booked in four separate Premier League matches.

As a result, the Brazilian faced a lengthy ban from football if found guilty.

However, Paqueta is understood to have been cleared by an independent regulatory commission.

The commission’s decision is set to be officially announced next week.

His legal fees, thought to be as much as £1million, could now be covered by the FA.

The FA charged the 27-year-old in May last year relating to yellow cards received against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns.

As a result, Manchester City pulled out of a potential move for Paqueta, despite triggering his £85million release clause.

Paqueta had previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to the charges.

In a statement released in May 2024, he said: “I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me.

“For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can.

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“I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will not be providing any further comment.”

Paqueta joined the Hammers in the summer of 2022 from French side Lyon.

He has since made 120 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals and providing 14 assists.

The former AC Milan star was also part of their side which won the Conference League in 2023.

Paqueta has two years remaining on his contract at the London Stadium with the option of a further year.

Lucas Paqueta’s betting charges

Paqueta had been charged with deliberately getting himself booked on four occasions in Premier League matches.

The first related to a yellow card for a lunge on Leicester’s Boubakary Soumare in November 2022.

Another caution followed after a late challenge on John McGinn during a clash with Villa four months later.

In May 2023, Paqueta was booked in the 65th minute of a win over Leeds for fouling Crysencio Summerville.

The final yellow card related to the charges was for a handball against Bournemouth on the opening weekend of the 2023/24 season.