West Ham's Paqueta cleared of betting charges
The Brazil international was charged with four alleged breaches of Football Association (FA) rules in relation to matches involving the Premier League side.
It was alleged the 27-year-old directly sought to influence games by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the "improper purpose of affecting the betting market".
The four charges against Paqueta related to a game against Leicester in November 2022 and matches against Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth in 2023.
He was facing the prospect of a lifetime ban if found guilty.
The Brazilian denied the charges and the independent regulatory commission found them not proven following a hearing.
The FA said two charges against Paqueta, related to a failure to cooperate with its investigation, had been found proven.
It said a commission would decide on an appropriate sanction for those proven breaches "at the earliest opportunity".
The Brazilian, who joined West Ham in 2022, said in a club statement that he had always maintained his "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," he said.
"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."
West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady said: "We are pleased Lucas has been cleared. He has maintained his innocence from the outset, and as a club we have resolutely stood by him and supported him throughout the process."
Alastair Campbell, a partner at the law firm Level and the head of Paqueta's legal team, said: "Few cases carry the gravity of this one -- professionally, personally and emotionally for our client.
"Lucas has faced down immense pressure with remarkable strength and resilience."
The FA said it was awaiting the written reasons from the independent commission in relation to its decision on the charges, and would not be commenting further until that time.
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was given a suspended two-month ban in May last year over breaches of betting rules.
It came as the Italian international was serving a 10-month ban handed down by the Italian authorities for betting offences.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
3 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
Norris fastest in second Hungarian GP practice, Piastri second
Lando Norris completed a Hungarian Grand Prix practice double on Friday as runaway leaders McLaren dominated both sessions while leaving something in reserve and almost colliding at the end. Norris was top of the time sheets in both sessions at the Hungaroring outside Budapest, with Formula One leader Oscar Piastri second and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc emerging as McLaren's closest rival. The Briton was 0.019 of a second faster than teammate Piastri, who has a 16-point lead after 13 of 24 races, in first practice and 0.291 quicker in the late afternoon when he set a best lap of 1:15.624 seconds. At the end of the session, with the chequered flag already waved, Norris locked up coming out of the pits for a practice start as Piastri, winner in Belgium last weekend, went around the outside at turn one. Norris was on pole at the circuit last year in a race won by Piastri, his first victory in F1. Leclerc was third fastest in both sessions, with Racing Bulls' French rookie Isack Hadjar fourth in the opening one but Aston Martin coming on strong in the second with Lance Stroll fourth and Fernando Alonso fifth. Double world champion Alonso had missed practice one due to back pain, with Brazilian reserve Felipe Drugovich standing in for him. Lewis Hamilton, winner a record eight times in Hungary with McLaren and Mercedes, was fifth and sixth on his return with Ferrari. Mercedes's form looked more encouraging than at the last race in Belgium, with George Russell ending the day seventh, after earlier complaining about his car's balance, and Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli 10th. Red Bull's reigning champion Max Verstappen was ninth and 14th respectively in the sessions, with Japanese teammate Yuki Tsunoda 17th and ninth. 'I don't know what's going on. It's just undriveable, I can't get any balance,' said Verstappen over the team radio at one point in the late afternoon. Verstappen was summoned to the stewards for a bizarre incident in which the four-time world champion threw what appeared to be a rag out of the car's cockpit while on track at turn three. Estonian Paul Aron took Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber for the opening session and was last after having to stop before the midpoint of the session due to a technical problem. Hulkenberg was 12th on his return.
IOL News
4 hours ago
- IOL News
Mamelodi Sundowns' talisman Lucas Ribeiro ecstatic with the season of triumphs, and teamwork
MAMELODI Sundowns talisman Lucas Ribeiro looking up to launch another spectacular season at Chloorkop. | MS/Facebook Ribeiro had his best season in the famous yellow and green jersey of Sundowns last campaign, scoring 21 and registering 14 assists in 51 games. Lucas Ribeiro is on cloud nine after winning big at the 2024/25 season PSL awards, and he's grateful for the support his teammates and coaches gave him. The Brazilian also starred at the Club World Cup in the US, scoring the Goal of the Tournament for his strike against German giants Borussia Dortmund in the group stage. And for his domestic efforts, he bagged the league's coveted Footballer of the Season, Player's Player of the Season, Goal of the Season and Top Goal Scorer of the Season awards. 'It was a very good season, and the team played very well,' Ribeiro told the Brazilians' media team after the award ceremony on Tuesday night. 'There was fatigue this season because we played so many games, but I am happy with individual trophies. 'I didn't play alone though. My teammates helped me a lot, and gave me support. So, thank you to them and the coach (Miguel Cardoso) - the guy helped me to elevate my level as a player.' Being crowned the Footballer of the Season - an award that's voted for by the 16 coaches in the league - is one of the greatest recognition a player can get. But, Ribeiro didn't want to single out his favourite trophy, saying: 'I like every trophy because they are all important to me. It was a crazy season for me, so all four mean a lot.' Ribeiro and Co are set to be in for another 'crazy season" as expectations have mounted on them to improve after their impressive display at the World Cup last month. As such, after coming back for pre-season, they started with their preparations at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium as their base, Chloorkop, is undergoing renovations. From thereon, they camped in Rustenburg before returning to Atteridgeville to finetune their preparations for the MTN8 quarter-final against Richards at the same venue on Sunday. 'Training was good,' said Ribeiro. 'I am happy with training, and I am back at training to help my team. I worked well with the players and the coaches.'
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Newcastle reject Liverpool bid for Alexander Isak
Rejected Newcastle United have rejected Liverpool's offer for Swedish strier Alexander Isak. Photo: AFP Image: AFP Newcastle have rejected Liverpool's opening bid to sign unsettled Sweden striker Alexander Isak, according to reports on Friday. Isak has been training at his old club Real Sociedad this week after reportedly telling Newcastle he wants to leave St James' Park. The 25-year-old has been linked with Liverpool since the end of last season and the Premier League champions are now believed to have formalised their interest with an offer of around £110 million ($159 million) plus potential add-ons. But Newcastle, who reportedly value Isak at £150 million, remain keen to hold onto their prize asset and have rebuffed Liverpool's initial bid. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Isak, who joined Newcastle in a £60 million move from Real Sociedad in 2022, scored 23 Premier League goals last season to help Newcastle qualify for the Champions League. He has three years left on his Newcastle contract, but did not travel to Asia for the Magpies' ongoing pre-season tour, with the club saying he had a minor thigh injury. On Thursday, Real Sociedad confirmed he was at their Zubieta facility with his own trainers. It was reported on Friday that Newcastle had told Isak he could agree a new deal containing a get-out clause for next year, but he responded by insisting he wants to move now. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has already bolstered his attacking options by signing Eintracht Frankfurt striker Hugo Ekitike and Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz during the current transfer window. But the Reds are keen to make their forward line even more formidable by adding Isak as they look to win back to back English titles for the first time since the 1980s. Newcastle boss Eddie Howe struck a defiant note earlier this week when he said: "He is still our player. He's contracted to us. "We, to a degree, control what is next for him. I would love to believe all possibilities are still available to us. "My wish is that he stays, but that's not in my full control." Liverpool have spent over £250 million so far in the summer window, with Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giorgi Mamardashvili joining Wirtz and Ekitike at Anfield. AFP
