Lucas Paquetá is poised to receive only a fine after being found guilty of two misconduct charges relating to the spot-fixing allegations he was cleared of in July.
The independent commission that acquitted Paquetá of being deliberately booked to fix betting markets upheld two lesser charges against him of failing to answer questions and provide information to the Football Association’s investigation, with its written reasons for both verdicts due to be published this week.
Paquetá will face a separate sanctions hearing to determine his precise punishment, but the commission’s report is understood to include a submission from the FA that it believes a fine to be appropriate. The West Ham forward’s legal team have also made written submissions to the commission and may contest the level of any fine imposed by the commission.
Paquetá was cleared of spot-fixing following a two-year investigation by the FA that cost him an £85m move to Manchester City in August 2023. The 28-year-old continued to play for West Ham throughout the process, and expressed his gratitude to the club by kissing the badge and miming throwing away a mobile phone after scoring last weekend in the 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Aston Villa made an attempt to sign Paquetá on loan last week, while Tottenham also made a tentative inquiry before signing Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig, but neither proposed transfer came close to being finalised with the player happy to stay at the London Stadium.
The publication of the independent commission’s full decision is also expected to include a recommendation on which party covers the costs of the case. West Ham were unhappy that Paquetá was charged on the basis of what they regarded as flimsy evidence, but have opted against taking legal action against the FA.
After he was cleared of spot fixing, Paquetá said in a statement: “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, 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.”
The FA declined to comment.
