West Ham boost as FA set to clear Paqueta of spot-fixing allegations | OneFootball

West Ham United are poised to receive a massive boost ahead of the new season.

According to The Times, the Football Association (FA) will clear Lucas Paqueta over spot-fixing charges that have loomed over the midfielder for two years.

The Brazilian international has been under investigation since August 2023, before the FA formally charged him in May 2024.

The FA accused Paqueta of deliberately getting booked to influence the betting market during four Premier League matches spanning the 2022/23 and 2023/24 campaigns.

However, reports claim that the FA informed Paqueta and West Ham of the final ruling, which will mostly be in his favour.

The 27-year-old is effectively in the clear, despite earlier fears that the governing body was pushing for a lifetime ban.

The decision follows a hearing in April and comes as welcome relief to the club, which had been bracing for potential sanctions.

While it’s still unclear whether he will receive any minor punishment, the most serious threat (a career-ending ban) appears to have been avoided.

Spare a thought for Paqueta after all he has been through with this case. For two years, this matter has been hanging over his head.

He missed out on a move to Manchester City, and West Ham did not get the £85 million windfall that would have been used to rebuild this ageing squad.

Paqueta endured a subpar 2024/25 campaign, managing only five goals and no assists.

There were reports of him being distraught, but thankfully, vindication is here! What a wait it has been!

Now, West Ham have to decide whether to sell the former AC Milan star for profit or allow him to get back to his best in East London (View).

Man City have likely moved on. They signed Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders this summer.

It remains to be seen which club will cough up the fee to match West Ham’s demands.