Lucas Paquetá is getting ready to sue the English Football Association (FA) after he was cleared in one of the biggest investigations in recent soccer history. The West Ham midfielder, who spent almost two years under suspicion of spot-fixing, is now thinking about making a multi-million-pound claim to get compensation.
Outside Panel Throws Out Paquetá Charges, Slams FA’s Investigation
The Brazilian faced accusations of getting yellow cards in Premier League games so his contacts in Brazil could make money from betting markets. However, the case fell through when an independent panel decided the proof did not show any wrongdoing. In a long 314-page ruling, the commission slammed the FA for how they handled things, pointing out that investigators did not do their own check of the bookings and relied too much on what their own staff and advisors said. The panel called parts of the case “surprising” and “flawed.”
The accusations had a huge impact on Paquetá well before he was cleared. His big move to Manchester City in the summer 2023, worth about GBP 80–100 million ($107.7-$134.6 million), fell through when the investigation went public. This transfer would have landed him a deal paying over GBP 200,000 ($269,253) weekly and given him the chance to play under Pep Guardiola with a championship-winning team. Instead, he stayed put at West Ham, facing the possibility of never playing again and his name in question.
Attorney Says Paquetá Getting Ready to Claim Damages After FA Mess
His representatives claim that the lost earnings, plus legal costs and damage to his reputation, have an impact on damages in the tens of millions. His lawyer, Alistair Campbell, says the player is thinking hard about taking legal action, though he will not file right away, reported Telegrafi. Campbell stressed that Paquetá’s team is following a clear legal path instead of rushing to court.
The FA has already spent GBP 1 million ($1.3 million) on costs it cannot get back from the case. If Paquetá goes ahead and wins his claim, the governing body might face an even bigger financial hit. Experts think the total cost could reach several million British pounds when you factor in lost transfer value and wages.
The midfielder’s troubles grew worse when news stories damaged his reputation around the world. Though he was found not guilty of the main match-fixing claims, he still faces minor punishments for not helping investigators. This might lead to a fine but no ban from playing. David Moyes, who used to manage West Ham, and Mark Clattenburg, a former referee, both said the warnings in question seemed normal for the player, which helped his case.