West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá is set to take legal action against the Football Association (FA) after being cleared of alleged spot-fixing offences. The Brazilian international, who has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, was under investigation for suspicious betting patterns surrounding yellow cards he received in Premier League matches.
The FA launched an inquiry last year after unusual betting activity was flagged in connection with Paquetá's bookings. However, after months of scrutiny, the governing body found insufficient evidence to charge the 26-year-old playmaker.
A statement from Paquetá's representatives read: "Lucas has maintained his innocence throughout this process and welcomes the FA's decision. However, the damage to his reputation has been significant, and he will now pursue legal recourse against the FA for the manner in which this investigation was conducted."
The case centred around bets placed in Brazil on Paquetá receiving yellow cards in specific matches during the 2022-23 season. While the FA acknowledged the unusual betting patterns, they concluded there was no conclusive proof of Paquetá's involvement.
Impact on Transfer Prospects
The investigation reportedly scuppered a potential £85 million move to Manchester City last summer. Pep Guardiola's side were said to be keen on the Brazilian before the allegations emerged.
Paquetá, who joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022 for £51 million, has become a key player for the Hammers. Despite the off-field distractions, he helped the club win the Europa Conference League last season and has continued to feature regularly under manager David Moyes.
FA Under Scrutiny
The case has raised questions about the FA's handling of betting-related investigations. Some critics argue the lengthy process - which lasted over a year - unfairly tarnished Paquetá's reputation before any charges were brought.
A football governance expert told us: "While it's crucial to investigate potential match-fixing, there needs to be more transparency in these processes. Players' careers can be seriously impacted by prolonged investigations, even when no wrongdoing is found."
Paquetá's legal team are expected to file papers in the coming weeks as the midfielder looks to draw a line under the controversy and focus on his football career.
