Lucas Paquetá is set to launch a legal claim for more than £1m in costs against the Football Association following the publication of the regulatory commission’s 314-page report that cleared the West Ham player of spot-fixing. The Guardian understands that while Paquetá is unlikely to sue for damages over lost earnings from the two-year case, he will seek to recover legal costs estimated at between £1m and £1.5m.
The case appears bolstered by the commission’s report, which highlighted numerous “flaws” in the FA’s handling of the matter. Major elements of the prosecution were described as “surprising”, “concerning” and “contradictory”, and the commission criticised the FA for failing to call an independent expert to assess the 253 suspicious bets on the four bookings Paquetá was alleged to have fixed.
Paquetá’s lawyers are expected to argue that the investigation’s flaws caused delays, incurring considerable costs for the player and West Ham, who had unsuccessfully petitioned the FA for an expedited hearing last year. The lawyers will also insist the FA pay the costs incurred by the commission, which, given the case’s length and complexity, could run into several hundred thousand pounds.
The FA is already facing a bill of about £1m for its own legal expenses, which it cannot recover. If Paquetá’s claim succeeds, the total cost of the case against him could approach £3m. All costs decisions will be made by the commission at a new hearing, which will also determine Paquetá’s punishment for two lesser charges of failing to cooperate and share information with the FA.
West Ham have no plans to take legal action against the FA, which has confirmed it will not appeal the commission’s verdict.
