West Ham's Paqueta cleared of betting allegations
LONDON : West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of spot-fixing charges by an independent regulatory commission, the club announced today.
The Brazil international was charged with four alleged breaches of Football Association (FA) rules in relation to matches involving the Premier League side.
It was alleged the 27-year-old directly sought to influence games by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the 'improper purpose of affecting the betting market'.
The four charges against Paqueta related to a game against Leicester in November 2022 and matches against Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth in 2023.
He was facing the prospect of a lifetime ban if found guilty.
The Brazilian denied the charges and the independent regulatory commission found them not proven following a hearing.
The FA said two charges against Paqueta, related to a failure to cooperate with its investigation, had been found proven.
It said a commission would decide on an appropriate sanction for those proven breaches 'at the earliest opportunity'.
The Brazilian, who joined West Ham in 2022, said in a club statement that he had always maintained his 'innocence against these extremely serious accusations'.
'I can't say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face,' he said.
'To my wife who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me.'
West Ham United vice-chair Karren Brady said: 'We are pleased Lucas has been cleared. He has maintained his innocence from the outset, and as a club we have resolutely stood by him and supported him throughout the process.'
Alastair Campbell, a partner at the law firm Level and the head of Paqueta's legal team, said: 'Few cases carry the gravity of this one – professionally, personally and emotionally for our client.
'Lucas has faced down immense pressure with remarkable strength and resilience.'
The FA said it was awaiting the written reasons from the independent commission in relation to its decision on the charges, and would not be commenting further until that time.
Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali was given a suspended two-month ban in May last year over breaches of betting rules.
It came as the Italian international was serving a 10-month ban handed down by the Italian authorities for betting offences.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Brazil's never-say-die spirit shines in dramatic Women's Copa America win over Colombia
Brazil win ninth continental title Marta scores twice, but misses in the shootout Colombia take lead three times but fall short of title QUITO, Aug 3 — Brazil successfully defended their Women's Copa America crown by defeating Colombia 5-4 in a shootout on Saturday to claim their ninth continental title after a roller-coaster final in Quito ended 4-4. The decider at the Estadio Rodrigo Paz Delgado saw Colombia take the lead three times, only for Brazil to respond on each occasion. Brazil great Marta forced extra time with a late equaliser and the veteran struck again in the 105th minute to seemingly seal victory. But a resilient Colombia found yet another equaliser to send the encounter to penalties, where Brazil's experience ultimately prevailed. 'I think women's soccer has been growing a lot. I think the trend is for it to be more competitive. Everyone here deserved a match like this. Congratulations to Colombia too,' Brazil's Amanda Gutierres said. 'This means a lot. I think it's Brazil's job. It's that mentality of never giving up. That's a source of pride for Brazil. I think it means a lot to Brazilians.' Both teams created early chances but the breakthrough came in the 25th minute when Colombia's Linda Caicedo capped off a tidy passing move with a composed low finish from close range. Brazil got the equaliser in the dying moments of the first half when Angelina stepped up to calmly convert a penalty after VAR confirmed a foul by Jorelyn Carabali on Gio Garbelini. Colombia regained the lead in the 69th minute via a Brazil own goal, defender Tarciane attempting a routine back pass to goalkeeper Lorena but unaware that she had already charged off her line to collect the ball. Gutierres equalised for Brazil again 10 minutes from time with her sixth goal in the tournament, a fierce strike off Garbelini's pass, but striker Mayra Ramirez restored Colombia's lead by netting after a quick counter-attack eight minutes later. 'Las Cafeteras' were within touching distance of their first continental title until Marta, introduced as a late substitute, delivered a moment of magic with a stunning equaliser six minutes into stoppage time, forcing the game into extra time. Marta struck again in the 105th minute when she tapped in a fine cross from Angelina but Colombia turned things around again as Leicy Santos' brilliant free kick sailed into the top corner in the 115th minute. The penalty shootout mirrored the drama of the match, with Colombia taking the early advantage after Angelina's miss. However, when Manuela Pavi failed to convert and goalkeeper Lorena saved Leicy Santos' effort Brazil held the advantage. Marta had the chance to seal victory but Katherine Tapia's save sent the shootout to sudden death, where Carabali's miss finally handed Brazil their ninth continental title. — Reuters
Malay Mail
2 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Ex-England forward Callum Wilson joins West Ham on one-year deal after Newcastle exit
LONDON, Aug 3 — West Ham United have recruited ex-Newcastle United and Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson as a free agent on a one-year contract, the east London club announced on Saturday. The 33-year-old Wilson has had 111 direct goal involvements in 239 Premier League appearances, including 49 in 130 games for Newcastle, where he failed to agree a new contract. He has played nine times for England, scoring twice. 'I'm excited to be joining a massive football club like West Ham. A club that shares a similar passion to mine, hard work, dedication and also I strive for success so I'm glad to be a part of it,' Wilson said. Wilson moved to Newcastle in September 2022 and had his best Premier League tally of 18 goals in 2022-23, a season that also saw him feature for England at the World Cup in Qatar. He played in just 18 league games last term due to injuries. 'He is a proven, experienced Premier League striker, with a great work ethic and a fantastic goalscoring record,' West Ham coach Graham Potter said. 'He also has excellent character and personality, which is such an important factor, and something that we place a big emphasis on with our player recruitment.' — Reuters
New Straits Times
6 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Siraj strikes after Jaiswal helps India set England daunting target
LONDON: Yashasvi Jaiswal made a sparkling hundred and Washington Sundar a blistering fifty before Mohammed Siraj struck with the last ball of Saturday's play to bolster India's hopes of a series-levelling win in the fifth and deciding Test against England at the Oval. India were dismissed for 396 in their second innings on the third day as they set England a target of 374 to win with just over two days' play remaining. Siraj, ever-present in all five matches of a gruelling series, then yorked Zak Crawley for 14 with just two balls left in the day's play to spark joyous celebrations among the tourists. England were 50-1 at stumps, still requiring a further 324 runs to win, with Ben Duckett 34 not out. No side have made more to win in the fourth innings of a Test at the Oval than England's 263 in a one-wicket victory over Australia back in 1902. However, the most England have made to win any Test in the fourth innings was their 378 against India at Edgbaston in 2022, while they also chased down 371 at Headingley in the opening match of this series. Earlier, Jaiswal was out for 118, his second hundred of the series after the talented left-hander's ton at Headingley. The 23-year-old opener received superb support from Akash Deep in a third-wicket partnership of 107, the paceman belying his status as a nightwatchman with an accomplished 66 -- his maiden Test fifty. Ravindra Jadeja and Sundar, both fresh from hundreds in Manchester, each made 53, with Sundar launching a brutal assault after a depleted England took the new ball. A wayward home team, a bowler down after Chris Woakes suffered a shoulder injury diving in the field on Thursday, harmed their own cause by dropping six catches in the innings, with Jaiswal reprieved three times. India resumed Saturday on 75-2. Deep had made 21 when he edged Josh Tongue only for Crawley, diving across to his left from third slip, to floor the two-handed catch. Deep went to fifty when he pulled Gus Atkinson for his ninth four. But with India on the verge of batting through the morning session without losing a wicket, Deep got a leading edge to backward point off Jamie Overton. Shubman Gill, who has enjoyed a remarkable first series as India captain, fell to the very first ball after lunch when lbw to Gus Atkinson for 11. His exit left Gill just 20 runs adrift of Sunil Gavaskar's longstanding record for the most runs by an Indian cricketer in a Test series of 774, set against the West Indies in 1971. Gill compiled 754 runs at a superb average of 75, including four hundreds. Jaiswal's quick single off Atkinson saw the elated batsman to a 127-ball century, including 12 fours and two sixes. England dropped a sixth catch when, having set a trap to have Jaiswal taken at leg gully, the batsman duly obliged, only for Duckett to put him down off Overton. Jaiswal was eventually dismissed when he ramped Tongue straight to deep backward point before Jadeja completed his fifth fifty of the series in 71 balls. England took the new ball as soon as possible, with India 342-7 off 80 overs and promptly tried to bounce out Sundar in what proved to be an expensive ploy. The left-hander responded with three superb sixes, including hoisting Tongue, who finished with figures of 5-125, over fine leg and deep midwicket in the space of three balls.
