Footballer Lucas Paqueta Contemplates Filing Lawsuit against FA Due to Betting Scandal; West Ham United Declines Compensation Demand
Lucas Paqueta Cleared of Betting Misconduct by FA
After a thorough investigation, Lucas Paqueta, West Ham United midfielder, has been cleared of misconduct in a betting case by the English Football Association (FA). The commission released its full decision on the case on Wednesday.
The allegations against Paqueta, which surfaced in August 2023, were related to suspicious betting patterns in games played in 2022 and 2023. A total of 253 people placed £47,000 ($63,087) worth of bets on Paqueta, with a total profit of £167,000 ($224,163) from these bets. However, investigators did not find any mention of betting or gambling on Paqueta's phones.
The FA did not intend to appeal the decision, confirming Paqueta's innocence. The commission also found no evidence that Paqueta deliberately received yellow cards in the four English Premier League (EPL) games under scrutiny.
Paqueta claimed to know five of the individuals who placed bets on him, and this aligns with his suggestion that he has no interest in betting. West Ham United will not pursue the FA over the cancelled £80m ($92m) transfer to Manchester City due to the allegations against Paqueta.
The transfer, which would have seen Paqueta move to Manchester City in summer 2023, was close to completion before the allegations became known. Despite the setback, Paqueta's reputation remains unscathed, as the investigation and subsequent clearing by the FA have confirmed his innocence.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough investigations and due process in sports, ensuring that players are treated fairly and justly. Paqueta can now focus on his football, with the betting allegations behind him.
