Latest news with #spotfixing
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
West Ham boss Graham Potter insists 'I don't know anything' as he break his silence on reports that Lucas Paqueta is expected to be cleared of spot-fixing charges after two-year FA probe
West Ham boss Graham Potter has stressed that the Hammers must continue to support Lucas Paqueta, who appears to be at the end of his spot-fixing charges 'ordeal'. But the Englishman insisted that he has not been told a ruling on the Football Association's probe is imminent. On Friday, Mail Sport reported that the Brazilian looks set to win his seismic two-year fight to save his career after standing accused of picking up yellow cards on purpose in order to influence betting outcomes. Paqueta has been facing a potential life ban if found guilty of the charges. West Ham insiders confirmed to Mail Sport on Friday afternoon that they had received word of the verdict. When put to them that it was understood Paqueta had been successful in clearing his name, they insisted they could neither confirm nor deny and were unable to officially comment. There has not yet been an official announcement from the FA, who previously charged him. Following the Hammer's pre-season defeat by Manchester United in New Jersey on Sunday morning, Potter - who is headed into his first full season with the club - broke his silence on the matter and stressed the need to back the midfielder as his wait to learn his fate goes on. 'I don't know anything. I just know we have to support him,' said Potter. 'He has been through a long ordeal. He is a big personality in the group.' On whether he has been told confirmation of the decision is imminent, the former Brighton boss said: 'No'. Mail Sport broke the story of the FA's probe into Paqueta back in August 2023. At that time, their investigation scuppered his proposed £80million move from West Ham to Manchester City. That led to Paqueta being charged in May 2024 with four counts of spot‑fixing – relating to cautions shown in Premier League fixtures against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth – and a further two of obstructing an FA investigation. It is not yet known whether he has beaten every single charge with an announcement expected within the coming days. Alongside that charge sheet from the FA was reported to be a recommendation that he is banned for life if proven that he was picking up cards to win cash for those betting on him. West Ham have been furious with how the FA allowed their investigation to drag on for so long. It left a dark cloud hanging over one of their best players for two years with Paqueta considered a special type of talent who can turn a game on its head in an instant. It was his assist for Jarrod Bowen which saw them beat Fiorentina in the Conference League final in Prague in June 2023, marking their first major trophy in 43 years. His manager for that triumph was David Moyes, the now-Everton boss who Mail Sport revealed even acted as a witness in a significant section of his defence against the FA's claims. Paqueta was represented by Nick De Marco KC in the hearing which concluded nearly two months ago. Sources close to Paqueta have previously described how it has been a tormenting time for him personally. The yellow he received against Leicester, on November 12, 2022, was nearly 1,000 days ago. Ever since learning that he was being investigated, he has strenuously insisted he was innocent and had faith that he would clear his name. West Ham supported Paqueta throughout it all, though the Premier League club had long feared that the odds were stacked against them and their player. As previously reported, that was due to the standard of proof being based on a 'balance of probabilities' – as in civil law cases – as opposed to the more rigorous 'beyond a reasonable doubt' threshold in criminal proceedings. Paqueta has been a key player for West Ham since signing from Lyon for a club-record £51million in 2022. If found innocent, the Hammers may have a decision to make on him this summer, including whether to sell him. Brazilian club Flamengo are believed to be interested.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
West Ham unlikely to pursue legal battle after Manchester City transfer collapse
Manchester City's collapsed transfer for West Ham's Lucas Paqueta in 2023 is once again at the heart of football reporting following new developments. What was once poised to be one of the most significant midfield moves of recent summer transfer windows unravelled dramatically when allegations of spot-fixing emerged surrounding the Brazilian international. The story has since dragged into a lengthy investigation, with the English Football Association probing whether Lucas Paqueta deliberately received yellow cards in Premier League matches to manipulate betting outcomes. The uncertainty derailed not only the player's career trajectory but also West Ham's wider plans, both financially and strategically for all involved. And while City have long since moved on from the saga – pivoting to other targets in subsequent windows – developments this week have brought the failed transfer back into focus. According to MailSport's James Sharpe, West Ham are unlikely to start a legal battle with the Football Association if Lucas Paqueta is cleared of spot-fixing after a two-year saga that had also led to the collapse of an £85 million move to Manchester City in August 2023. Officials at the Etihad Stadium had pulled the plug on a move as soon as West Ham made them aware of the active investigation, not only costing Paqueta a dream move to the then-reigning Premier League champions, but also a huge payday for himself and the Hammers. A move for the Brazilian midfielder is being targeted for this summer to fund transfer market activity under Graham Potter, with a return to Flamengo deemed as a possibility, though West Ham would want 'way in excess of' £25 million to consider a sale. Should Lucas Paqueta be cleared by the FA, interest in the 27-year-old is likely to very quickly resurface, particularly from clubs on the continent – though a return to Manchester City remains highly unlikely at this stage. City have reinforced their midfield over the last eight months in particular with the additions of players like Tijjani Reijnders, Nico González, and Rayan Cherki, while Claudio Echeverri has emerged as a clear future creative option. For West Ham, a sale could open the door to a more aggressive transfer strategy under Graham Potter, as the club attempts to reshape its midfield core. With a valuation well above £25 million, only a handful of clubs are seen as realistic suitors.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
West Ham unlikely to start legal battle with the FA if Lucas Paqueta is cleared of spot-fixing after two-year saga and collapse of dream Man City move
West Ham are unlikely to start a furious legal battle with the FA if Lucas Paqueta is cleared of spot-fixing in a two-year saga that led to the collapse of an £85million move to Manchester City. The bombshell verdict on whether Paqueta deliberately picked up four yellow cards during Premier League matches to influence betting markets is due to land in the coming days with sources suggesting the Brazilian is expected to be cleared. Paqueta was on the verge of a mega move to Manchester City in August 2023 when Mail Sport broke the news that the Brazilian was under investigation by the FA for four suspicious bookings. City pulled the plug as soon as West Ham made them aware of the investigation, costing Paqueta a dream move, potentially his entire career, and West Ham a huge payday. The investigation and trial is believed to have cost the club nearly £2m in fees and it remains to be seen whether the FA will have to stump up the bill, though club insiders believe it unlikely. West Ham will look to sell Paqueta this summer to help fund Graham Potter 's squad overhaul but stand no chance of landing a fee anywhere near as large. Paqueta's potential clearing has led for calls from the fan base to take action against the FA for the club missing out on a huge windfall. They needed to sell players before they could buy this summer to keep in line with PSR rules and they didn't make their first signing until Mohammed Kudus's £55m move to Tottenham. West Ham are furious at how long the trial has taken, and the toll it has taken on Paqueta, however senior Hammers sources told Mail Sport the club would not consider taking action against the FA. It's understood West Ham don't think it would be good for football if they were to sue the game's custodians. An emotional return to hometown club Flamengo is a possibility for Paqueta, though sources say the Hammers would want in way in excess of £25m otherwise will not consider selling him.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Lucas Paqueta ‘set to be CLEARED of betting charges as FA faced with paying West Ham star's £1MILLION legal fees'
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. 2 2 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 Guardian
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
West Ham's Lucas Paquetá expected to be cleared of spot-fixing over bookings
Lucas Paquetá is expected to be found not guilty in relation to spot-fixing charges. The West Ham player was charged by the Football Association with four counts of being deliberately booked to influence betting markets and two of failing to cooperate with its investigation. The charges were announced in May 2024 after a 10-month investigation. The Brazilian could have faced up to a life ban if he were found guilty in one of the most high-profile cases the FA have brought. The FA had been looking into allegations that Paquetá deliberately picked up yellow cards against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth in 2022 and 2023 and alleged that he 'directly sought to influence […] these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee, for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting'. About 60 bets were placed on Paquetá to be shown a yellow card in those games. A source with knowledge of the FA's investigation said that one of the bets was for £7, with the highest £400. Paquetá denied any wrongdoing. 'I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me,' he said on Instagram in May last year. 'For nine months, I have 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.' West Ham said at the time: 'Lucas categorically denies the breach and will continue to robustly defend his position. The club will continue to stand by and support the player throughout the process.' The FA investigation came to light when Paquetá was close to joining Manchester City for about £80m and scuppered his hopes of a move to the then treble-winners. Now 27, he cost West Ham a club-record £51m when he joined from Lyon in August 2022. Paquetá's trial concluded in early June and the player was told he must wait four to eight weeks for a verdict. West Ham were unhappy with that given the disruption it would cause to their summer transfer window, leaving their head coach, Graham Potter, uncertain over whether a key player would be part of his squad next season. A month previously, Potter said the investigation had taken a mental and physical toll on Paquetá. 'In fairness to Lucas I think he's handled it brilliantly,' Potter said. Paquetá's wife, Maria Fournier, wrote on Instagram at about the same time: 'My husband has a posture and a strength that I admire and impresses me. We have been living this nightmare for two years.'
