FA Won’t Appeal Lucas Paqueta Spot-Fixing Clearance

FA Decides Not to Appeal Lucas Paqueta Spot-Fixing Clearance

The Football Association (FA) has confirmed it will not appeal the decision of an independent regulatory commission that cleared West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta of four spot-fixing charges.

The Brazilian international, charged in May following a lengthy investigation, was accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards in four separate Premier League fixtures across the 2022 and 2023 seasons. However, after a detailed hearing, the commission ruled all four charges were “not proven.”

Despite the FA’s ability to appeal, it has opted not to do so, citing the findings published in a 314-page report compiled by Sports Resolutions, which raised serious concerns about the lack of independent expert input regarding key betting data.

FA’s Evidence Criticized as Circumstantial

The case against Paqueta relied heavily on alleged irregular betting patterns surrounding his bookings against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth. The FA claimed over £46,000 worth of bets were placed by 253 individuals, generating a net profit of £166,944.98, with 27 of those bettors allegedly linked to Paqueta.

However, the commission concluded that the FA’s approach lacked independence and objectivity—particularly its decision to use betting integrity investigator Tom Astley, an FA employee, instead of an independent expert.

“It simply did not call independent expert evidence,” the commission noted, calling this decision “an obvious flaw” in what the FA admitted was the most critical aspect of its case.

The commission also rejected Astley’s claim that the betting appeared “highly orchestrated” and pointed out that the FA’s legal team later distanced itself from that assertion.

No Spot-Fixing, But Some Charges Upheld

While the four primary spot-fixing charges were dismissed, Paqueta was found guilty of two rule breaches relating to a lack of cooperation during the investigation. He denied failing to comply with FA Rule F3 (related to supplying requested documents and information), but the commission found these violations proven. The FA confirmed that a sanction will be announced in due course.

Support from Moyes and Clattenburg

Former West Ham manager David Moyes and retired Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg both testified in Paqueta’s favor. Moyes described the yellow card incidents as “entirely within the normal range of actions” for the player, while Clattenburg criticized the data used by the FA’s integrity service.

“Each challenge is comfortably within the sphere of things that happen multiple times every match,” Clattenburg said.

Furthermore, the investigation found no digital evidence—such as messages or contacts—linking Paqueta to betting activity or any intent to manipulate outcomes. Over 300 deleted messages were recovered and none were related to gambling.

Paqueta’s Legal Team Celebrates ‘Longest Verdict in Sports History’

Paqueta’s legal team, led by barrister Nick De Marco, welcomed the ruling.

“I remain delighted for my client, cleared of all serious charges of spot-fixing,” De Marco said. “This was the biggest case in the FA’s history and reportedly the longest sports judgment ever issued globally.”

The commission concluded that the betting patterns were not consistent with deliberate manipulation and cautioned against drawing conclusions from unknowns, reinforcing Paqueta’s defense and affirming the presumption of innocence.