Lucas Paqueta ‘set to be CLEARED of betting charges as FA faced with paying West Ham star's £1MILLION legal fees'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
LUCAS PAQUETA is set to be cleared of spot-fixing charges, according to reports.
The West Ham star has played for two years while allegations of being deliberately yellow carded were hanging over his head.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
2
Lucas Paqueta is set to be cleared of spot-fixing charges
Credit: Getty
2
Paqueta was accused of being deliberately carded on four occasions
Credit: PA
It was alleged that Paqueta picked up bookings on four separate occasions between November 2022 to August 2023 amid suspicious betting patterns being flagged.
A guilty verdict could have seen the 27-year-old slapped with a lifetime ban from football.
But reports from The Times claim Paqueta will be cleared of all charges.
The FA are set to confirm their decision early next week.
West Ham and Paqueta are said to be furious over how long it has taken to reach a verdict.
The FA could now face having to cover the cost of the midfielder's legal fees, which is in the region of £1million.
Shortly before the investigation became public, Manchester City had agreed an £85million deal to sign the former Lyon man from West Ham.
But that move collapsed once City became aware of the allegations.
An investigation was launched after suspicions betting patterns were identified originating from Paqueta Island in Brazil, where the player was born.
Bets ranging from just £7 to £400 were placed on the four separate cards, in matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth.
A total of £100,000 in winnings came from bets placed on the four bookings.
West Ham's then shirt sponsor, Betway, as well as a number of other high-profile bookmakers, raised concerns after their automatic systems which monitor suspicious betting were triggered.
After the nine-month FA probe, Paqueta was charged in May last year but did not face a hearing until March 2025, which finished following the end of the Premier League season.
During the hearing, evidence was heard from former West Ham boss David Moyes.
Paqueta's form has nosedived during the process, with the playmaker in tears on the pitch following a booking in a West Ham game versus Tottenham in May.
Following that match, Paqeuta's wife released an emotional statement saying the family had been living through a "nightmare" for two years.
Sources close to the player have revealed that the allegations have had a serious impact on Paqueta's mental well-being.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
23 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Sir Alex Ferguson takes in League One clash alongside ex-Man Utd youngster
Cardiff beat Peterborough 2-1 on Saturday in their League One opener and Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted watching the game in the stands as he came to support son Darren Sir Alex Ferguson was spotted in the stands at Cardiff's League One season opener against Peterborough on Saturday as he attended the game to support his son Darren, who manages Posh. Cardiff won the game 2-1 thanks in part to Ruben Colwill's stunning free kick, before Ronan Kpakio completed the turnaround victory after Bradley Ihionvien had put the away side ahead from the penalty spot in the first half. Manchester United 's legendary manager Sir Alex was a minor sub-plot to the game as he was picked out by the cameras in the stands, sitting alongside Peterborough's director of football Barry Fry, who came through the youth system at Old Trafford without playing a senior game. Commentator Daniel Mann was also keen to point out that Sir Alex and Fry both had a connection to United as he said: "I'm sure we're all excited to see Sir Alex here. "Another fellow former Manchester United man there in Barry Fry, who had four years there as a young player." Sir Alex retired from management in 2013 after bowing out with his 13th Premier League title and went on to become an ambassador for the club, regularly being spotted at their matches at Old Trafford. The Scot was reportedly being paid £2m a year by United as part of his role, but that has since been removed amid United's sweeping cost-cutting scheme under Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Fry, meanwhile, came through the United youth system back in 1960 but never played for the Red Devils. He has had an association with Peterborough since 1996 after starting off as manager of the club, staying in that role for nine years, before moving upstairs as director of football - a role he has held ever since. Fry, along with chairman Darragh McAnthony has been responsible for hiring Sir Alex's son Darren four times. Ferguson Jr first took over the club in 2007 for two years before returning in 2011 for four years. He then took up the job at Doncaster Rovers, where he spent another four years before going back to Peterborough yet again in 2019. He would resign in 2022 following a poor season before being persuaded to take up a fourth stint the following year after the sacking of Grant McCann. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
BBC News
23 minutes ago
- BBC News
Leeds 1-1 Villarreal
The 1-1 draw against Villarreal wasn't the most thrilling of games to get the Elland Road crowd enthralled ahead of the slog of the Premier were four home debuts for the thirty five thousand plus in attendance to keep an eye on from the start with full-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, midfielders Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, and forward Lukas Nmecha all selected by Daniel and Longstaff offered glimmers of quality, with the Swedish defender Gudmundsson proving he will be an attacking option over the next 10 boy Joel Piroe scored the whites only goal, and when reporters spoke to last season's Championship golden boot winner afterwards he explained he is more than happy to fight for his place in the side with likely competition arriving in the coming were some notable absentees from the matchday squad, which at this time of year always causes a ripple of concern through the Elland Road James and Jayden Bogle were the most concerning but Farke confirmed injuries to for new goalkeeper Lucas Perri meant he missed out and the same was said for winger Jack Harrison, who only a fortnight ago was challenged by the boss to win the fans' trust just over a fortnight to go until Everton come to West Yorkshire it is fair to say attacking reinforcements are vitally needed, with Farke stating as is also shown by the fact that almost the biggest roar of the day was of course for 16-year-old Harry Gray. He will be hoping to have some Premier League involvement next season, maybe even against his brother when Leeds face Spurs in just over two months' time.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Driver, 22, killed after horror three-car smash
The victim's family have been informed and are being supported by officers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAN has died after a horror collision involving three vehicles. Cops rushed to the scene on Stratford Road and Ladypool Road in Birmingham just before 11.50pm on Friday evening. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up The horror smash involved a black Audi, blue Vauxhall and a parked vehicle. The driver of the Vauxhall, a 22-year-old man, tragically died after being taken to hospital. His family are being supported by specialist trained officers. Three other people were also taken to hospital with injuries. Cops have urged anyone with information to call 101 quoting log 5875. 1 A man has died following a collision on Stratford Road and Ladypool Road in Birmingham More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
