FA Cleared Lucas Paquetá Spot-Fixing Charges amid Flawed Case Criticism

The Football Association (FA) has decided not to appeal after an independent regulatory commission cleared West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá of spot-fixing charges related to deliberately receiving yellow cards in four Premier League matches. The commission sharply criticized the FA's case, highlighting a lack of direct evidence, reliance on circumstantial information, and the failure to use independent experts, which undermined the integrity of the prosecution. The betting data analysis was found flawed due to the absence of independent assessment, and the unusual betting patterns were attributed to informal sharing of betting tips rather than corruption. While Paquetá was cleared of spot-fixing, he was found guilty of lesser charges for failing to fully cooperate with the investigation, though sanctions for these are expected to be minor. Paquetá and his legal team are considering legal action against the FA, citing the damage to his career and lost earnings, including a collapsed £85 million transfer to Manchester City. Overall, the commission's 314-page judgment described parts of the FA's case as "surprising," "concerning," and "contradictory," and noted internal inconsistencies such as the FA barrister disagreeing with the FA's own lead witness.