Lucas Paqueta 'ban decision' leaks after star threatened with career-ending punishment

Lucas Paqueta is set to be cleared of spot-fixing by an independent regulatory commission, according to reports. The West Ham playmaker was threatened with a lengthy ban which could have spelled the end of his career if the verdict did not go his way, but it is understood that the commission have ruled in his favour and the decision will be announced next week.

In May last year, the FA charged Paqueta with four counts of spot-fixing (dishonestly determining the outcome of a specific part of a match), and two counts of obstructing an investigation. The Brazilian was effectively accused of getting booked on purpose in Premier League matches against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth.

Paqueta denied wrongdoing from the start, saying: "I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me. For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can.

"I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name. Due to the ongoing process, I will not be providing any further comment."

According to The Times, sources with knowledge of the case have indicated that Paqueta has been cleared by the commission, clearing up the uncertainty around his future.

Manchester City were strongly linked with an £80million move for Paqueta in 2023, but the transfer fell through when it emerged that he was the subject of an FA betting investigation. The 27-year-old has two years left to run on his contract and the Hammers now have a decision to make on whether to try and move him on this summer.

Paqueta only scored four times in the Premier League last season and he is one of West Ham's most valuable assets. But the London club has eased some of the pressure on them to sell by offloading Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham for £55m.

Born in Rio de Janeiro, Paqueta took his first steps in senior football with local club Flamengo and was snapped up by AC Milan in his early twenties. His time at the San Siro proved to be short-lived as he moved on to Lyon after only 44 appearances, and Paqueta's strong performances in Ligue 1 convinced West Ham to part with an initial £36.5m to sign him in 2022.