Lucas Paquetá Weighs Legal Action Against the FA After Spot-Fixing Acquittal

• Paquetá cleared of spot-fixing considers suing the FA.
• Failed £110m Man City transfer adds weight to claim.
• FA faces multi-million pound exposure if lawsuit succeeds.
  

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Lucas Paquetá, the Brazilian soccer star cleared of spot-fixing at the end of July, is considering suing England’s Football Association (FA) to recoup more than £1 million (US$1.3 million) in costs and potentially much more in lost earnings.

The West Ham midfielder, 28, endured a nearly two‑year FA investigation into allegations that he deliberately sought to get himself yellow-carded to influence the betting markets.

A transfer to Manchester City planned for the summer of 2023 for a rumored £80 million (US$107 million) fell through when the investigation became public knowledge.

The move would have secured Paquetá a contract worth more than £200,000 (US$270,000) a week, which put the total lost value of the transfer, including wages and bonuses, in the tens of millions of pounds.

Instead, the Brazilian had to play the entirety of last season for West Ham with the specter of a life-ban hanging over his head.

Reputational Damage, Career Fallout

While Paquetá’s immediate legal claim will target reimbursement of between £1 million (US$1.3 million) and £1.5 million (US$2 million) in legal costs, wider damages linked to the failed City transfer could become part of his case, The Guardian reports.

The FA has already written off about £1 million in its own unrecoverable expenses and could face total exposure of £3 million (US$4 million) if Paquetá’s claim succeeds.

But in dismissing the charges, an independent commission found the patterns were not conclusive of spot-fixing.

The 314-page ruling heavily criticized the FA. The commission found contradictions between investigators and prosecutors, no independent review of betting evidence, and no incriminating material on Paquetá’s mobile devices. The panel described aspects of the FA’s approach as “surprising,” “concerning,” and “an obvious flaw.”

Paquetá’s case was boosted by testimonies from those inside the sport, such as former West Ham manager David Moyes. He told the panel that the cautions appeared typical for the midfielder. Former referee Mark Clattenburg also sided with the player, saying the bookings were “ordinary.”

Lesser Violations

Although acquitted of the main charges, Paquetá was found guilty of two lesser breaches for failing to cooperate fully with investigators. A disciplinary hearing is expected to issue a fine but no suspension.

The FA has confirmed it will not appeal the acquittal, and West Ham does not intend to launch its own claim because suing its own governing body would likely create more problems than it solves.

Paquetá, though, stung by the hit to his reputation and career, might take a different view.