Paqueta avoids fine despite guilt over failing to cooperate with FA | OneFootball

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has avoided a fine after being found guilty of breaching Football Association (FA) rules regarding his co-operation with their spot-fixing investigation.

An independent commission ruled that a reprimand and warning would be a more proportionate punishment.

They cited the exceptional circumstances surrounding the case, including the toll it had taken on the Brazilian’s career and mental health.

Paqueta was cleared in July of four charges related to alleged breaches of the FA’s betting rules, which had accused him of deliberately seeking bookings to influence betting markets.

The commission found those charges ‘not proven’ and accepted his consistent denials.

However, the panel determined that two further breaches of FA Rule F3 – concerning his failure to comply with the investigation fully – could be proven.

The 28-year-old had reportedly given ‘no comment’ responses to most of the FA’s questions during two separate interviews.

After a hearing on October 17, the same commission concluded that the lengthy process had already inflicted significant damage on Paqueta’s career, finances and wellbeing.

His £80 million move to Manchester City in 2023 collapsed as a direct result of the investigation, while he also incurred substantial legal costs in defending himself.

The commission said that although none of these factors alone would justify the absence of a financial penalty, the combination of them made this an ‘exceptional case’.

It added that the appropriate and proportionate sanction was ‘one of a reprimand and a warning as to future conduct’.

The commission emphasised that the decision should not be interpreted as establishing a precedent for future investigations.

They made it clear that ‘a departure from the usual level of sanction is justified’ only because of the unique impact the case had on the player’s life and livelihood.

The FA has been ordered to pay 90 percent of the commission’s costs, with Paqueta covering the remainder.

The governing body had proposed a 75-25 split but accepted that it should bear the majority of the expenses.

Paqueta has been an ever-present figure for West Ham this season, starting all ten of their matches and scoring three goals.

He is expected to feature again when the Hammers visit Newcastle United on Sunday.