Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of any wrongdoing after the West Ham United midfielder was charged with breaching FA rules surrounding spot-fixing. It comes almost two years after the FA launched an investigation into the Brazil international, with Paqueta adjudged to have fallen foul of FA Rules E5 and F3 – something the 27-year-old denied throughout.

Paqueta was at risk of a lifetime ban if the ex-Lyon star was found guilty, with the offences said to have taken place between November 2022 and August 2023. However, an independent regulatory commission has dismissed the case, finding the four charges levelled against Paqueta to be “not proven”.

In a statement posted to the cliub’s website, West Ham said: “West Ham United can confirm that an independent Regulatory Commission has cleared Lucas Paquetá of misconduct charges made against him by the Football Association for alleged breaches of FA rule E5. The Club has stood by Lucas since the very start of a long and difficult process.”

Paqueta himself added: “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.”

A statement released by the FA read: “An independent Regulatory Commission has found the misconduct charges against West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta for alleged breaches of FA Rule E5 to be not proven. Lucas Paqueta was charged with four alleged breaches of FA Rule E5.1 in relation to his conduct during the club’s Premier League fixtures against Leicester City on 12 November 2022; Aston Villa on 12 March 2023; Leeds United on 21 May 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on 12 August 2023.

“It was alleged that Lucas Paqueta directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in 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. Lucas Paqueta denied the charges against him, and the Regulatory Commission found them to be not proven following a hearing.”

It continued: “The Regulatory Commission has found the misconduct charges against the player for alleged breaches of FA Rule F3 to be proven. Lucas Paqueta 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.

“Lucas Paqueta denied the charges against him, but the Regulatory Commission found them to be proven following the hearing. The Regulatory Commission will decide an appropriate sanction for these breaches at the earliest opportunity. The FA awaits the Regulatory Commission’s written reasons in relation to its decisions on the charges, and will not be commenting further until that time.”

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