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Lucas Paquetá may soon put his match-fixing case behind him. According to former Everton CEO and current advisor to top football clubs, Keith Wyness, the West Ham forward is expected to be acquitted. Wyness shared the update during a recent episode of the Inside Track podcast on Football Insider.
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Wyness, citing unnamed sources, said the case is no longer active and that Paquetá will likely be found not guilty. “My sources say the case is now closed and Paquetá will be acquitted,” he told the podcast.
However, a final verdict has yet to be announced. Wyness pointed to a delay that might be tied to new developments in the investigation. “It’s very surprising and mysterious. All the testimonies have been collected, and yet there’s this sudden postponement. I can only imagine that something new has emerged. It’s difficult to understand,” he said.
The charges stem from events between late 2022 and mid-2023, where Paquetá allegedly earned yellow cards on purpose in four matches—against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth. Betway, West Ham’s official sponsor, noticed unusual betting activity tied to these incidents, particularly on Paquetá Island in Brazil, and flagged it to the FA.
In May 2024, the FA officially accused Paquetá of deliberately triggering yellow cards and sharing inside information to benefit others financially. Some of the bets were reportedly placed by the player’s friends and family, which raised further concern.
Even with the allegations, Paquetá has maintained his innocence from the beginning. He has made just one public comment on the matter but denied any wrongdoing.
Although the timeline has shifted slightly, the case is still expected to conclude by the end of August. For now, fans and the club await the official outcome, which could clear the way for Paquetá to move forward without further interruption.