Lucas Paqueta cleared of betting rule breaches after FA regulatory commission hearing

By Emmanuel Austin Baah On Jul 31, 2025

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of four alleged breaches of betting rules following an independent Regulatory Commission hearing, the Football Association (FA) announced on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

The 27-year-old was previously charged with intentionally seeking bookings during four Premier League matches in 2022 and 2023, accusations he strongly denied.

The FA had alleged that Paqueta deliberately tried to receive bookings in those games to influence the progress or conduct of the matches in order to manipulate the betting market for others’ benefit.

However, after a thorough examination of the evidence and a formal hearing, the Regulatory Commission found the charges against him to be “not proven.”

In its statement, the FA confirmed, “Paqueta denied the charges against him and a Regulatory Commission found them to be not proven following a hearing.” This ruling clears the midfielder of any wrongdoing in connection with the specific betting rule breaches initially raised against him.

Despite this, Paqueta faces two separate charges related to alleged failures to comply with obligations during the FA’s investigation. These concerns accusations that he did not fully cooperating by failing to answer questions and provide information as required.

The outcomes of these charges are yet to be determined. The verdict marks a significant development for Paqueta as he continues his career at West Ham United.

The club and player now await further clarity on the outstanding charges, but the dismissal of the betting manipulation allegations comes as a relief amid a high-profile inquiry in English football.

Author

Emmanuel Austin Baah

My name is Emmanuel Austin Baah, professionally known as “Okocha”. I am a seasoned Ghanaian journalist, broadcaster and football commentator from Senya Bereku in the Central Region. My work reflects a strong commitment to factual reporting, ethical journalism and the continuous promotion of Ghanaian sports.

I am currently pursuing my studies at Cape Coast Technical University, building on a solid foundation of media practice and communication. I previously served as a sports producer at Radio Gold (90.5) and Montie FM (100.1) in Accra, where I was actively involved in editorial planning, programme production, live commentary and in-depth sports analysis.

Presently, I am a Senior Writer at SportsNetGhana.com, a role in which I produce well-researched features, match reports, athlete profiles and analytical pieces. My work consistently highlights emerging talents, captures key sporting developments and contributes to shaping informed sports discourse in Ghana.

Over the course of my career, I have covered numerous major sporting events both locally and internationally. Among these, the highlight remains my coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, a significant milestone that strengthened my expertise in global football reporting and enhanced my understanding of international sports dynamics.

I am widely recognised for my clarity of analysis, engaging commentary style and strong command of both local and global football trends. Beyond the newsroom, I participate in community initiatives aimed at developing young sports journalists and promoting youth engagement in sports.

For professional engagements, media collaborations or enquiries, please contact me on 0265284330.

View all posts