Lucas Paqueta and West Ham United are reportedly considering legal action against the Football Association (FA) following the collapse of his £80 million transfer to Manchester City due to betting allegations. The Brazilian midfielder was investigated by the FA in August 2023, which led Manchester City to abandon their interest in the player. The move could have been career-defining for Paqueta and lucrative for West Ham, but the club now fears it may not recoup such a fee.
The FA's case against Paqueta was ultimately dismissed, with the panel criticising the lack of direct evidence and reliance on an internal expert whose credibility was undermined by West Ham manager David Moyes and former referee Mark Clattenburg. The FA also argued that Paqueta bore the burden of proving his innocence, a stance rejected by the panel. Paqueta faced a potential four-year ban if found guilty.
Although cleared of the main betting charges, Paqueta was found guilty of two counts of failing to cooperate with the investigation. He is expected to receive a fine rather than a ban, with the commission indicating any sanction would be at the lower end of the scale. The FA has confirmed it will not appeal the verdict but defended its commitment to integrity in football.
Paqueta described the ordeal as a "nightmare" and expressed hope of restoring his dignity. He has scored twice for West Ham this season, including a goal in a win over Nottingham Forest, where his celebration demonstrated his commitment to the club. Both Paqueta and West Ham are now weighing a multi-million pound lawsuit against the FA.
