Lucas Paquetá, midfielder for Brazil and West Ham, is evaluating a lawsuit against the English Football Association (FA) after a failed transfer to Manchester City, valued at 80 million pounds (around R$600 million), in August 2023. The FA’s investigation into alleged betting manipulations, which cleared the player in July 2025, was cited as the reason for the deal’s collapse. The case caused significant financial losses for Paquetá and West Ham, as well as emotional and professional impacts on the athlete. A 314-page report criticized the investigation’s handling, fueling the potential for a multimillion-pound lawsuit. Paquetá’s lawyer, Nick De Marco KC, noted that leaks compromised the player’s career. The action, if pursued, could reshape how the FA conducts future investigations.
West Ham, which also lost out on the transfer’s profits, is considering joining the player in the lawsuit. The initial complaint, pointing to manipulation in four Premier League matches between 2022 and 2023, relied on suspicious betting patterns but lacked direct evidence.
- Estimated financial loss of R$600 million for Paquetá and West Ham.
- Cleared of charges in July 2025 after a two-year investigation.
- Report criticizes lack of independent evidence in FA’s probe.
Investigation details and flaws
The FA’s investigation began in August 2023 after identifying suspicious betting patterns in four Premier League matches involving yellow cards received by Paquetá. The matches were against Leicester City (November 2022), Aston Villa (March 2023), Leeds United (May 2023), and Bournemouth (August 2023). The FA claimed 253 bettors, including 27 allegedly linked to the player, placed bets worth 47,000 pounds, yielding a 167,000-pound profit. Paquetá denied involvement, stating he only knew five of these individuals, with no discussions about betting or football.
A 314-page report, published on September 3, 2025, exposed significant flaws in the case. The independent commission highlighted the absence of independent betting data analysis, calling it an “obvious flaw.” The FA’s lead investigator, Tom Astley, described the bets as “highly orchestrated,” but the FA’s own legal team disputed this, weakening the case.
- FA failed to present independent expert witnesses.
- Betting data was not deemed indicative of manipulation.
- Paquetá cooperated by providing access to two phones, with no betting-related records.
- Commission criticized FA for not questioning the player after his offer to assist.
The lack of concrete evidence led to Paquetá’s acquittal on all four manipulation charges. However, he was found guilty of two minor breaches for not fully cooperating, such as deleting data from two phones, with a fine to be determined at a future hearing.
Paquetá's long-range strike against Chelsea has been nominated for August @PremierLeague Goal of the Month 🚀
— West Ham United (@WestHam) September 4, 2025
Impact on Paquetá’s career
The nearly two-year investigation significantly affected Lucas Paquetá’s career. The Manchester City transfer, led by Pep Guardiola, was nearly finalized, with personal terms agreed and talks advanced. The deal’s collapse prevented Paquetá from playing in the 2023/24 Premier League, won by City, and caused substantial financial losses, estimated in tens of millions of pounds for him and West Ham.
Paquetá, who rose to prominence at Flamengo before shining in Europe, faced emotional challenges. During a match against Tottenham in May 2025, he was seen crying after a yellow card, with his wife, Maria Fournier, describing the ordeal as a “two-year nightmare” on social media. Despite this, Paquetá maintained professionalism, performing for West Ham and Brazil.
- Paquetá scored four goals in 33 Premier League games in 2024/25.
- West Ham’s club and fans supported him throughout the process.
- Interest from clubs like Aston Villa and Tottenham emerged post-acquittal.
The 28-year-old midfielder showed gratitude to West Ham, kissing the club’s badge after scoring in a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest in 2025. His loyalty to the club, which stood by him, may influence his decision to stay at London Stadium, despite transfer rumors.
Reaction and potential lawsuit
The prospect of a lawsuit against the FA gained momentum after the independent commission’s report. Lawyer Nick De Marco KC, in September 2023, had warned that leaks about the investigation harmed Paquetá and West Ham, costing “tens of millions of pounds.” Criticism of the FA’s handling, including lack of transparency and evidence, fuels their frustration.
Sources close to West Ham indicate the club is carefully assessing next steps, with legal costs estimated at 1 million pounds. While the club initially opted against suing the FA, pressure to seek compensation has grown post-acquittal. Paquetá is consulting his legal team to decide on proceeding with the lawsuit.
- Lawsuit could seek compensation for commercial and financial losses.
- Paquetá lost potential sponsorship deals due to the allegations.
- West Ham believes the prolonged investigation disrupted market planning.
- If pursued, the case could set a precedent for future FA investigations.
The case’s impact extends beyond finances. Paquetá’s reputation suffered during the two-year probe, affecting his mental health and performance. The acquittal brought relief, but he now aims to recover lost time and the chance to play for a club like Manchester City.
Support from experts and witnesses
Paquetá received support from key football figures during the process. Former West Ham manager David Moyes and ex-Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg testified in his favor. Moyes stated that Paquetá’s yellow cards aligned with his playing style, while Clattenburg questioned the legitimacy of two of the four bookings.
The independent commission agreed that incidents, such as a foul on Boubakary Soumaré (Leicester) and a handball against Bournemouth, showed no clear evidence of manipulation. This supported the argument that the accusations relied on weak assumptions without direct proof of intent.
- Moyes reviewed incidents and deemed the bookings typical for Paquetá.
- Clattenburg criticized analyses by Stats Perform Integrity Services used by the FA.
- Commission found betting data did not indicate orchestrated manipulation.
Paquetá’s future outlook
Following his acquittal, Paquetá has drawn interest from Premier League clubs. Aston Villa attempted a loan move in the final week of the transfer window, while Tottenham made an initial inquiry. However, Paquetá appears focused on regaining top form at West Ham, where his contract runs until 2027. A new Manchester City bid is not ruled out, given Pep Guardiola’s admiration for the Brazilian.
The case also raises questions about the FA’s future conduct. Criticism of the use of circumstantial evidence and lack of independent experts may push the FA to revise its methods. For Paquetá, the priority is moving past the “nightmare” and focusing on football, with the lawsuit decision pending in the coming weeks.
- Paquetá has two goals in the 2025/26 season for West Ham.
- Contract with West Ham runs until 2027, with a high market value.
- FA may face pressure to reform investigative processes after criticism.
