Paquetá could sue FA after spot-fixing acquittal

LONDON, England:Lucas Paquetá, the West Ham United and Brazil midfielder, is weighing the possibility of suing the Football Association (FA) after being acquitted of four spot-fixing charges by an independent commission in July. The FA confirmed it would not appeal the verdict, which halted a thwarted £80 million transfer to Manchester City and left Paquetá facing potentially career-damaging sanctions. Paquetá, advised by legal team head Alastair Campbell, is considering claims for financial damages surpassing £1 million linked to the collapse of the transfer and reputational harm.

The FA’s two-year investigation alleged the 28-year-old deliberately sought yellow cards in four Premier League matches between November 2022 and August 2023 to influence betting markets. The charges arose after 253 separate bets were placed on Paquetá receiving bookings in those games, with 27 bettors reportedly connected to the player. However, the independent commission found the evidence circumstantial and inconsistent with spot-fixing, clearing Paquetá of misconduct. It highlighted flaws in the FA’s case, including the lack of concrete data linking Paquetá to betting activities and an overreliance on betting pattern speculation.

Campbell described the losses incurred by Paquetá as “immeasurable,” emphasizing the player’s lost opportunity to join a Premier League champion side and the impact on his career trajectory. Paquetá maintained he had no interest in gambling, and the commission’s 314-page ruling criticized the FA’s investigative methods and failure to produce compelling evidence. The FA accepted the commission’s findings and confirmed it will not launch an appeal.

Beyond the legal considerations, this episode has cast a shadow over Paquetá’s career, delaying his progression at club and international levels. West Ham reportedly remains interested in retaining the player amid interest from other Premier League clubs. The possible legal proceedings against the FA signal an unprecedented move by a footballer challenging an association’s regulatory conduct after a high-profile case collapse.

For Paquetá, the outcome broadens his focus back to football but also opens a new chapter in seeking restitution for reputational and economic damages caused by prolonged FA scrutiny. The case underscores the complexities and risks inherent in football’s fight against betting-related corruption allegations and sets a precedent for holding governing bodies accountable for flawed investigations.