Lucas Paquetá can finally breathe a sigh of relief after he was cleared of betting manipulation charges that had the potential to destroy his career in England. The matter, however, is not disappearing. According to The Sun, the Brazilian midfielder and West Ham are considering taking legal action against the Football Association (FA) for the damage caused. And it’s no small matter — we’re talking about an £80 million move to Manchester City that collapsed and a reputation dragged through the mud on the global stage.
The independent commission report that cleared Paquetá shames the FA. In more than 300 pages, the panel presented a scathing assessment, noting the federation never conducted an independent review of the yellow cards given to the player in the contested games. To commission members, that omission was "blatant and surprising." Strong words for an entity that's responsible for protecting the integrity of the world's most viewed sport.
An investigation under fire
The report also revealed behind-the-scenes weaknesses at the FA. The body's betting integrity investigator, Tom Astley, was named as being at the centre of the case's inconsistencies. Not only did he lead the investigation, but he was also the FA's star witness — a double role that irreparably damaged confidence in the process.
Another source of dispute was the utilization of expert Jack Johnson of Stats Perform Integrity Services. Because of his commercial association with the FA, his neutrality was challenged. The commission accused Johnson of "confirmation bias," claiming that his analysis was motivated by initial suspicion rather than an independent review of Paquetá's conduct.
The cost of suspicion
The consequences were immediate and severe. Paquetá lost the opportunity to play under Pep Guardiola in a Manchester City side that went on to win the Premier League that season. For a rising star, the value of that experience was incalculable, both in terms of football and finance. West Ham, meanwhile, had one of their prized assets lose market value amidst damaging headlines.
It's no surprise, then, that the possibility of a multimillion-pound lawsuit against the FA is gaining momentum from player and club alike. Now the midfielder's focus is on lost time. On the field, he's trying to regain the form that saw him become one of the most sought-after players in the Premier League.