Lucas Paquetá’s FA Hearing Begins Amid Spot-Fixing Allegations
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá is set to appear before an FA panel over allegations of spot-fixing, with the case centering on suspicious betting patterns linked to his yellow cards. The investigation, which led to the collapse of his transfer to Manchester City, could result in a lifetime ban if he is found guilty.
FA’s Most Significant Integrity Case in Decades
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá is set to defend himself in what is being described as the most significant football integrity case in England since the 1990s. The Football Association (FA) has charged the Brazilian international with four counts of spot-fixing and two counts of obstructing an investigation. If found guilty, he could face a lifetime ban from football.
Paquetá denies any wrongdoing and has withdrawn from Brazil’s World Cup qualifiers to be available for the hearing. The case, which has been ongoing for nearly two years, centers around allegations that the player deliberately received yellow cards in Premier League matches to benefit bettors.
Betting Patterns and Key Incidents
The FA’s case began after an unusual betting pattern emerged in a West Ham game against Bournemouth in August 2023. Dozens of bets—ranging from small sums to £400—were placed on Paquetá receiving a yellow card. Bookmakers flagged the suspicious activity, prompting an investigation.
The inquiry uncovered that multiple yellow cards received by Paquetá in previous games had also triggered irregular betting activity, with many wagers traced back to Paquetá Island, the player’s birthplace in Brazil. The International Betting Integrity Association (IBIA) and major bookmakers, including West Ham’s sponsor Betway, raised concerns over the volume and origin of these bets.
Paquetá’s Defense and Legal Battle
Paquetá has fully cooperated with the investigation, providing bank statements and phone records. His defense argues that his disciplinary history explains the frequent bookings, pointing out that he consistently commits a high number of fouls. Additionally, he allegedly requested not to play against Bournemouth due to ongoing transfer negotiations with Manchester City, which later collapsed following the FA’s inquiry.
His legal team, led by top sports lawyer Nick De Marco KC, aims to challenge the FA’s evidence, which relies heavily on statistical betting anomalies rather than direct proof of wrongdoing. The FA disciplinary panel will decide the case based on the “balance of probabilities” rather than the stricter “beyond reasonable doubt” standard used in criminal trials.
The case has already affected West Ham financially. A planned £80 million transfer to Manchester City fell through once the FA launched its investigation. Despite the uncertainty, the club has supported Paquetá, though concerns remain over the potential consequences of a guilty verdict.