Luca Paqueta Cleared of Spot-Fixing Allegations: A Look at His Career and Future

Nearly two years after the Football Association initiated an investigation into Paqueta, the West Ham star was exonerated of spot-fixing allegations by an independent regulatory commission last July. At 28 years old, he faced the possibility of a lifetime ban had he been found guilty, but his relief was palpable when he was allowed to continue his football career. In his statement, he reaffirmed his innocence and expressed gratitude to the Hammers and their fans for their unwavering support.

“From the very beginning of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these serious accusations,” stated Paqueta. “While I cannot elaborate further at this time, I am immensely grateful to God and eager to return to playing football with a smile. I extend my heartfelt thanks to my wife, who never let go of my hand, West Ham United, the fans who constantly cheered for me, and to my family, friends, and legal team who supported me throughout this ordeal.”

Last October, amid Paqueta’s struggles with form and consistency, speculation arose regarding a potential return to his home country of Brazil, specifically to Flamengo. A month later, he acknowledged the strong pull from Brazil and how the protracted investigation had affected him.

“The first time Flamengo approached me was when Marcos Braz was still the vice president there,” he revealed in November. “I am aware of Flamengo’s desire and they are aware of my passion for the club. This has always been a topic of conversation. When I was accused and the trial process was about to start, Braz visited my home to discuss the offer. I have always wanted to return to Flamengo, but at that point, I was uncertain about my next steps. I communicated my feelings to the West Ham director, explaining my wish to return. However, I could not be ungrateful to the club that supported me so much during this challenging period. They showed me and my family great respect. Thus, I decided to let the situation unfold naturally.”

Paqueta further expressed that despite the allure of a move to Flamengo, he felt a deep sense of loyalty to West Ham due to their support during the investigation.

“I might not even be supposed to say this, but I had discussions with my friend Filipe Luís, who is part of Flamengo,” he shared. “I conveyed my desire to return to my home club to my agents as well. It was a challenging decision, especially at 28 years of age when I still have significant market value elsewhere. Nonetheless, my affection for West Ham prevailed, and I chose not to force any changes, respecting the club that has been so supportive of me. I understood that it may not have been the right time, but I trust that the doors to Flamengo will always remain open for me.”

In the days following Paqueta’s reported request to sit out West Ham’s victory over QPR, Nuno provided an update regarding the playmaker’s recovery and that of his teammates as they prepare to face Tottenham this weekend.

When asked about Paqueta’s future, Nuno commented: “All players are recovering from various issues. Konstantinos Mavropanos has been dealing with a neck problem, Matheus Fernandes has returned to individual training, and Luca Paqueta is still undergoing treatment. We will see how they progress in the coming days.”

It remains uncertain whether Paqueta, who reportedly desires a break from England, will be fit to compete against Tottenham in the Premier League this Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, or if he will have to wait for Sunderland’s visit to London Stadium the following week. Additionally, it is unclear if the Brazilian international has played his final game for West Ham or if a return to Flamengo is on the horizon.