West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá has been officially cleared of betting-related misconduct by the Football Association, bringing a long-running investigation to a close. Shortly after the FA’s decision was made public, Paquetá’s legal representative issued a rare public statement, welcoming the outcome and reaffirming the Brazilian star’s commitment to full transparency throughout the process.
The inquiry dates back to suspicious betting patterns surrounding yellow cards received by Paquetá in Premier League matches during the 2022-23 season. Although the player consistently denied any wrongdoing, the FA opened a formal investigation in August last year, delaying Paquetá’s anticipated transfer to Manchester City and casting a shadow over his otherwise impressive performances for West Ham.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Paquetá’s lawyer, Tomás Paiva, emphasised that the player had remained “calm and confident in justice” throughout the ordeal. “Lucas has always maintained his innocence, and we are pleased that the FA has reached the correct decision,” Paiva said. “He cooperated fully with the investigation from day one and has shown exemplary professionalism despite the immense pressure. This outcome not only clears his name but also allows him to focus entirely on his football and his future.”
Sources close to the player said that while Paquetá found the lengthy process “mentally exhausting,” he was determined to fight the allegations to the end. The 26-year-old remained a key figure for David Moyes’s side throughout the 2023-24 campaign, helping the Hammers to a top-half Premier League finish and playing a pivotal role in their Europa League run.
West Ham released a brief club statement following the FA’s announcement, expressing satisfaction with the outcome and praising the midfielder’s conduct. “Lucas has been an outstanding professional throughout this period,” the club said. “We are delighted he can now put this matter behind him.”
The FA also confirmed it would not pursue any further action against the player, bringing the case to
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