West Ham star Lucas Paqueta in talks to sue the Football Association

Lucas Paqueta was cleared over alleged betting breaches in July 2025 (Picture: Getty)

West Ham star Lucas Paqueta is in talks with his legal team over the possibility of suing the Football Association (FA), according to reports.

Paqueta was charged by the FA in May 2024 after an investigation into potential betting breaches before he was cleared 14 months later.

It was alleged the footballer intentionally tried to receive yellow cards from the referee in four Premier League games between November 2022 and August 2023 to influence betting markets to make a personal profit.

Paqueta always strongly denied the charges and was eventually cleared in July 2025 after a regulatory commission found the charges to be ‘not proven’ after a hearing.

According to the Daily Mail , the Brazil international attacking midfielder is now in discussions with his legal representatives and may sue the FA.

A 314-page document published on Wednesday revealed how an independent commission branded aspects of the FA’s failed case against Paqueta as ‘surprising’, ‘concerning’ and ‘contradictory’.

The FA had been pushing for a lifetime ban for Paqueta if he was found guilty.

Paqueta scored in West Ham’s win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday (Picture: Getty)

The FA’s probe came at a time when Paqueta was being strongly linked with a £85m move to Manchester City, which ended up falling through.

The head of Paqueta’s legal team, Alistair Campbell, told the Daily Mail: ‘It’s certainly something that is at the forefront of our minds (suing the FA) and those discussions are ongoing.

‘I can’t say we’re about to run off to court but it’s something that’s under consideration.

Paqueta ‘was on the verge of a move to Man City’ when the probe started (Picture: Getty)

‘It’s a judgement that’s quite critical of the FA at some points but there are other points where it says you can see why suspicion was raised.

‘The driving factor behind this will be what it’s cost Lucas in terms of his career and potential earnings. That is significant.

‘He was on the verge of a move to Man City when this first happened and they went on to win the Premier League that year. There’s an empty space in his trophy cabinet that can’t be filled by an exoneration and by some recompense.

‘He definitely feels aggrieved. The judgement comprehensively exonerates him so the ultimate decision will rest with Lucas but we will certainly be exploring all possibilities.’