Player Paqueta escapes lifetime ban but will receive a fine.

According to The Sun: Lucas Paqueta may be fined £150,000 following an investigation into betting, according to reports.

The 28-year-old West Ham player was cleared of match-fixing allegations following an independent investigation in July.

Paqueta escaped a lifetime ban after being accused of deliberately receiving yellow cards during matches.

Investigators claimed he intentionally received cards in matches against Leicester in November 2022, Aston Villa in March 2023, Leeds in May 2023, and Bournemouth in August 2024, to help others win bets on his yellow card.

After two years of uncertainty about his career future, the Brazilian breathed a sigh of relief when the Football Association confirmed that the allegations had not been proven.

However, he was found guilty of two breaches of FA Rule F3 for failing to respond to questions and failing to provide information for the investigation.

A fine was expected for these offenses.

Now, 'The Times' reports that Paqueta must pay around £150,000 for his lack of cooperation.

This is roughly a week's salary for the Hammers star.

The report noted that a final decision on covering Paqueta's legal costs, which could exceed £1 million, has yet to be made.

Paqueta, who missed the chance to move to Manchester City for £85 million in 2023 due to the investigation, commented on the situation after being cleared of manipulation charges.

“From day one of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence regarding these extremely serious allegations. I cannot say more at this stage, but I want to express gratitude to God and eagerness to return to playing football with a smile on my face”

“I thank my wife, who never let go of my hand, West Ham, the fans who have always supported me, and my family, friends, and legal team who have been with me — thank you for everything.”

This midfielder has always denied any allegations and has reportedly suffered from mental health issues during this protracted process.

In a separate Instagram post, Paqueta quoted the Book of Deuteronomy from the Old Testament, saying: “Enemies will have to flee from us in seven ways.”

Paqueta has started the new season well, scoring three goals in four matches.

This included a second goal in the match against Nottingham Forest on Sunday from a penalty that secured three points.

He reacted to this by disdainfully throwing away his mobile phone before kissing the West Ham badge to the delight of the fans.

The former Milan and Lyon player was also linked with a move to Aston Villa for £47 million before the deadline on Monday, but seemed to dismiss these rumors with his emotional celebration.

SunSport reached out to the FA for comments.

The situation with Lucas Paqueta illustrates how serious allegations can impact an athlete's career. Despite being massively supported by fans and teammates, the investigation and its aftermath could not have been an easy trial. Being cleared of the allegations has been an important step for Paqueta, who can now focus on unlocking his potential on the pitch.

Meanwhile, further news regarding his financial liability and legal costs still needs to be clarified. Nevertheless, a successful start to the season with goals may indicate his determination to continue playing actively and showcasing his talent.