Lucas Paqueta Cleared of Misconduct Charges by Regulatory Commission
Lucas Paqueta Exonerated from Misconduct Allegations
London [UK], July 31: West Ham United announced on Thursday that Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been exonerated from misconduct allegations by an independent Regulatory Commission.
The Football Association (FA) had charged Paqueta for purported violations of FA rule E5. The 27-year-old player had been under scrutiny since 2023 and faced charges related to spot-fixing in May 2024.
It was claimed that he intentionally accumulated four yellow cards during Premier League matches against Leicester City on November 12, 2022; Aston Villa on March 12, 2023; Leeds United on May 21, 2023; and AFC Bournemouth on August 12, 2023.
Throughout the investigation, Paqueta consistently denied all allegations. Had he been found guilty, he could have faced a lifetime ban from football. Additionally, he was charged with two violations of FA Rule F3 concerning his alleged failure to cooperate with the FA's inquiries.
Despite the charges, the Regulatory Commission ultimately found them to be unsubstantiated after the hearing. They indicated that appropriate sanctions for any breaches would be determined at the "earliest opportunity."
In a statement released by West Ham United, Paqueta expressed his gratitude, stating, "From the beginning of this investigation, I have asserted my innocence against these serious accusations. I cannot elaborate further at this moment, but I am thankful to God and eager to return to the pitch with joy. I appreciate my wife, West Ham United, the supportive fans, and my legal team for their unwavering support."
Karren Brady, Vice-Chair of West Ham United, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "We are thrilled that Lucas has been cleared. He has maintained his innocence from the start, and as a club, we have steadfastly supported him throughout this ordeal."
Brady added, "Despite the immense pressure, Lucas has consistently delivered strong performances for the club. This has been a challenging period for him and his family, but he has remained professional, and now he looks forward to moving past this chapter, as does everyone at West Ham United."
The FA has confirmed that they are awaiting the Regulatory Commission's written explanation regarding its decisions on the charges and will refrain from further comments until then.