FA sanction West Ham star Paqueta for failing to comply with investigation after being found guilty of breaches

West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta has been sanctioned after an independent regulatory commission found him guilty of two breaches of Football Association rules. The Brazilian midfielder was charged with failing to comply with a requirement to answer questions and provide information during an FA investigation. Despite initially denying the charges, Paqueta was found to have breached FA Rule F3 on two occasions. However, the 28-year-old has avoided a significant penalty, instead receiving a formal reprimand and a warning regarding his future conduct. FA statement on Paqueta An official FA statement, via the Sun, confirmed the outcome: "An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned West Ham United FC’s Lucas Paqueta for two proven breaches of FA Rule F3. “The player denied two charges of failing to comply with a requirement to answer questions and provide information to The FA’s investigation into breaches of the Rules. However, both breaches of FA Rule F3 were found proven following a hearing." Paqueta will not face a fine but is required to cover 10 percent of the Regulatory Commission's costs, with the FA paying the remainder. Several factors contributed to the lenient sanction, including Paqueta's reliance on legal advice, his eventual cooperation in providing a witness statement, and the submission of his mobile devices for inspection. The commission also considered the player's previously clean disciplinary record and the personal impact of the investigation, which included the collapse of a potential transfer to Manchester City in 2023.