West Ham Midfielder Paquetá Considers Legal Action After Spot-Fixing Acquittal Derails Manchester City Transfer

Lucas Paquetá, West Ham United midfielder, is considering legal action against the Football Association (FA) following his clearance from spot-fixing charges that led to the collapse of his proposed £80 million transfer to Manchester City. An independent commission in July 2025 dismissed the four charges alleging he deliberately sought yellow cards to influence betting markets, criticizing the FA's handling of the case and its failure to use independent experts. The investigation, which began in August 2023, caused significant financial losses for both Paquetá and West Ham, with potential earnings running into the tens of millions of pounds. Although West Ham has decided against suing the FA to avoid setting a negative precedent, Paquetá's legal team, led by Alastair Campbell, has urged him to seriously consider pursuing damages for the "incalculable" harm to his career and finances. The FA has confirmed it will not appeal the commission's verdict but has yet to comment on any potential legal claims. The case highlights concerns about the FA's investigative processes and the impact of unproven allegations on players' careers and transfers.