by Staff Writer
Friday, 31st October 2025
West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta has been sanctioned after being found guilty of two proven breaches of FA directives.
The Brazilian midfielder was recently cleared of the most potentially damages relating to his long-running FA case, in which he was accused of deliberately taking yellow cards for betting purposes (E5 charges).
However two lesser (F3) charges relating to "failing to comply with a requirement to answer questions and provide information to The FA’s investigation into breaches of the rules" were upheld, leading to a Regulatory Commission adjudication earlier this month.
The panel determined that while it was "appropriate for the player to bear a proportion of the costs" relating to the two-year investigation, Paqueta's fine would be a nominal one.
"The player’s submission was that no costs order should be made against him," read the Commision's report.
"We have identified substantial mitigation in determining sanction and have taken into account the financial impact in that regard, recognising that he is unable to recover any part of his own legal costs.
"But the fact remains that the F charges were contested throughout and there was an adverse finding against the player in respect of both of those charges. It follows, therefore that the player must bear responsibility for a proportion of those costs."
As a result, it was decided to charge Paqueta for just 10% of the hearing's costs - with the FA told they should bear the overwhelming bulk of fees.
"We have concluded that it is appropriate to direct that the costs of the Commission are to be paid in full and apportioned between the parties with 90% payable by the FA and 10% by the Player," the report stated.
"We also impose a reprimand and a warning as to future conduct."
The report also took into account the case potentially cost Paqueta a lucrative move to Manchester City two summers ago - while recognising the effect the extended case had on the player's mental health.
"The impact of the collapse of the likely transfer to Manchester City is a factor which we take into account, together with the impact of the proceedings on the mental health of the player and his immediate family, and relationships with his wider family," the report stated.
"We recognise that an element of the mental stress suffered included the player's realisation that, had the charges been found proved, his footballing career would almost certainly have come to an end."
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