"The Football Association has been strongly criticised by the regulatory commission that cleared Lucas Paqueta of spot-fixing charges over its failure to provide an independent assessment of the betting data on the West Ham player receiving yellow cards. A 314-page report by the commission that heard Paqueta's case was published on Wednesday and makes damning reading for the FA, with its evidence criticised for containing an obvious flaw, namely the lack of an independent assessment of the data."
"The FA charged Paqueta with four counts of spot-fixing in May 2024 after a 10-month investigation into bookings he received in four Premier League matches. Its case centred on connections between the Brazilian and 27 of the 253 individuals who placed apparently suspicious bets on him to be booked in one or more of the four games, with combined bets of 47,000 bringing a profit of 167,000."
"The commission concluded there was no evidence of corruption and that the unusual betting patterns were more likely explained by the rather random passing of hot tips' or perceived inside information' within Brazil than a spot-fix. The three-person panel accepted Paqueta's testimony that there was frequently talk of betting, including on the player himself, among his family and friends, and that it would defy logic for individuals involved in a spot-fix to be so loose with relevant information and tips."
The regulatory commission cleared Lucas Paqueta of spot-fixing charges and strongly criticised the Football Association for failing to provide an independent assessment of betting data. A 314-page report examined extensive evidence and identified the FA's lack of an independent data evaluation as an obvious flaw. The FA had charged Paqueta with four counts after a 10-month probe into bookings in four Premier League matches and links to 27 of 253 bettors whose combined stakes produced significant profit. The commission found no evidence of corruption and judged betting patterns more likely caused by informal tips within Brazil. The panel accepted Paqueta's testimony about frequent betting talk among family and friends and noted no incriminating material on two seized mobile phones.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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