After nearly two years under investigation, West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá has been cleared by an independent Regulatory Commission of serious betting misconduct charges brought by the Football Association (FA).
The Brazilian international had faced four charges under FA Rule E5.1 – one of the most severe breaches relating to betting integrity – but the commission found the allegations “not proven” following a formal hearing.
Paquetá had consistently denied wrongdoing.
FA Rule E5.1 prohibits any participant from attempting, directly or indirectly, to influence the outcome, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of a football match “for an improper purpose”.
A guilty verdict under this rule could have resulted in a lengthy ban, or even a lifetime suspension from football.
Reacting to the outcome, Paquetá said: “Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations. 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.
“To my wife who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me – thank you for everything.”
FA Rule E5.1 prohibits any participant from attempting, directly or indirectly, to influence the outcome, progress, conduct, or any other aspect of a football match “for an improper purpose”. A guilty verdict under this rule could have resulted in a lengthy ban – or even a lifetime suspension from football.
“Paquetá was charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3 in relation to alleged failures to comply with his obligations to answer questions and provide information to The FA’s investigation,” said an FA statement.
Sanctions for those lesser breaches are still to be determined, with the Commission expected to confirm any disciplinary measures in due course. The FA said it would not comment further until it receives the commission’s written reasons for the decisions.
But why this seemingly simple betting investigation take almost two years for a verdict?
How the Paquetá betting investigation unfolded
August 2023 – FA opens investigation
Unusual betting activity triggered the start of the saga.
While West Ham’s front-of-shirt sponsor Betway did not disclose a specific date, it flagged suspicious betting patterns on player prop bets involving Paquetá, with a notable volume of bets originating from Brazil.
On August 18, 2023, the FA formally opened an investigation into Paquetá’s conduct. The fallout was immediate and the midfielder was dropped from the Brazil national team. A reported £70m transfer to Manchester City also collapsed.
Despite the scrutiny, Paquetá was allowed to continue playing for West Ham and publicly denied any wrongdoing.
October 2023 – Paquetá cooperates
As the FA’s inquiry progressed, reports confirmed that Paquetá had agreed to provide his mobile phone to investigators. The FA aimed to examine contacts and communications, particularly with individuals based in Brazil, to assess any potential breaches of betting regulations.
Paquetá again reiterated his innocence but remained excluded from Brazil’s squad as the investigation continued into its third month.
March 2024 – West Ham’s full backing
Paquetá began to return to form in the second half of the season and was recalled to Brazil’s national team. He also received public backing from then-West Ham manager David Moyes and the club itself.
“West Ham have always supported me,” Paquetá said at the time. “There was no reason for them not to do what they did, which was nothing more than putting their player out there to play football.”
While reports in The Telegraph suggested Paquetá was set to be cleared of two of the four charges, no official update came from the FA, leaving the situation unresolved heading into the summer.
May 2024 – Paquetá officially charged
The FA charged Paquetá with serious breaches of its betting rules, alleging he deliberately sought yellow cards during specific Premier League matches to benefit others placing bets.
The Brazilian midfielder was accused of four breaches of FA Rule E5.1, relating to alleged deliberate misconduct in matches against:
- Leicester City (12 November 2022)
- Aston Villa (12 March 2023)
- Leeds United (21 May 2023)
- AFC Bournemouth (12 August 2023)
According to reports, Paquetá allegedly communicated with up to 60 individuals in Brazil who placed bets on him to receive yellow cards in those fixtures.
He also faced two breaches of FA Rule F3, concerning his alleged failure to fully comply with the investigation—specifically, not providing required information under Rule F2.
In response, Paquetá released a public statement maintaining his innocence:
“I’m extremely surprised and upset to see that the FA have decided to charge me. For nine months, I’ve cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can.
“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 provide any further comment.”
June 2024 – Lifetime ban?
With formal charges now filed, Paquetá faced the possibility of a lifetime ban if found guilty of breaching FA Rule E5.1.
According to reports from the FA’s charge sheet, the most serious penalty for influencing a match for improper purposes includes a lifetime suspension from football. Paquetá was charged with four alleged breaches of this rule.
August 2024 – Cleared to play Premier League season
Despite the severity of the charges, Paquetá was permitted to play the entire 2024/25 Premier League season.
Prosecutors and lawyers noted that the case could take several months to resolve, especially given the expected appeals process. The decision not to provisionally suspend him drew public scrutiny, particularly as other players in similar cases had been banned pending investigations.
September 2024 – Another player involved?
The investigation widened after Brazilian media reported that Paquetá’s uncle and cousin were allegedly involved in illegal betting activities, placing suspicious bets on another Brazilian player, Luiz Henrique, then at Real Betis. Henrique had picked up two yellow cards in matches tied to betting irregularities.
While Henrique’s case remained separate, the reported family connection increased pressure on Paquetá and intensified public interest in the investigation.
October 2024 – False information
In response to new claims, Paquetá issued a public statement criticising inaccurate media coverage of the investigation, particularly reports published by The Sun. The midfielder described the articles as “false and inaccurate” and reaffirmed his intent to clear his name.
Around the same time, it was reported that Paquetá faced two additional charges for failing to fully cooperate with the FA investigation, relating to Rule F3, which covers a player’s duty to provide information.
March-April 2025 – Hearing commences
An independent regulatory panel hearing began to assess whether Paquetá had breached the FA’s betting rules. The proceedings, which ran for three weeks, were among the longest in the FA’s disciplinary history.
Reports at the time suggested the FA was pushing for a lifetime ban if Paquetá was found guilty of attempting to influence matches for betting purposes. However, due to the complexity of the case and scheduling conflicts among legal representatives, the hearing was adjourned until June 2025.
Throughout the process, West Ham United continued to back the player, publicly supporting his right to due process.
July 2025 – Paquetá not guilty
Nearly two years after the FA launched its investigation, Paquetá has not been acquitted of the most serious misconduct charges.
The verdict spared the Brazilian midfielder from a potential career-ending ban and closed one of the most high-profile betting investigations in English football history.
