Lucas Paquetá could potentially counter-sue the Football Association if he’s found innocent of betting irregularities.
It’s a thought that’s crossed my mind recently—especially when considering why the FA appears to be pushing so hard for a lifetime ban (if reports are to be believed). If Paquetá is cleared, there’s every chance he and his legal team could seek damages for lost revenue.
At the heart of this would be the collapsed £80 million transfer from West Ham to Manchester City, which was widely reported and believed to be days away from completion when news of the FA investigation broke.
Presumably, City’s interest could be proven easily, given the formal bid and public links at the time. It’s reasonable to assume that Paquetá would have at least doubled his wages had he moved to the oil-rich Etihad club, so any compensation claim could come with a hefty financial price tag for the FA.
But it’s not just about wages. There’s the mental toll of enduring an investigation that has dragged on for over 18 months. If Paquetá can demonstrate that he missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime move due to the FA’s actions—and that he’s been mentally and financially impacted—the FA may well find themselves liable for significant damages.
It’s even possible that this looming threat explains why the FA is reportedly pushing so aggressively for a guilty verdict. Anything less could open the door for legal action.
And let’s not forget West Ham in all this. If Paquetá can prove he’s suffered financial loss, then the Hammers—who stood to make a sizeable profit from his sale—may also consider pursuing compensation.
This isn’t just a footballing matter anymore. It’s a legal, financial, and reputational minefield—especially if the FA fail to secure a conviction.
The fa could have dropped this at any time especially with the concrete lack of evidence, they chose to go down this route and have literally painted themselves into a corner, they may in their rediculas idea he’s guilty of probability but this is a man’s livelyhood and career and can’t be decided on a probability, this if he is found guilty Will no doubt end up in a criminal court which will need concrete evidence of which there is none to prove this accusation, so either way the fa have dropped a massive clanger because a betting company lost a few quid,I hope he and West ham take the fa to the cleaners
I remember the Sheffield United debacle, SU went from appeal to appeal until they got the decision they wanted.
Hasn’t done them much good though has it
I have an absolute irrational hatred of that club now
Google:
Football clubs, especially those that are incorporated, can enter into contracts and take legal action in their own name.
Grounds for Litigation:
A club might consider suing the FA if it believes the FA’s actions have caused financial harm, breached a contract, or acted unlawfully (e.g., in a disciplinary matter).
Internal Dispute Resolution:
Before resorting to court, clubs should first exhaust the FA’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms, such as appeals or arbitration.
Arbitration Panels:
The FA has its own arbitration panels to address disputes between clubs and the FA, or between clubs themselves.
Court Action:
If the internal mechanisms fail, a club can consider pursuing legal action in a court of law, but this can be costly and time-consuming.
Example:
The case of Sheffield United Football Club Ltd v Football Association Premier League Ltd demonstrates a situation where a club challenged the FA’s decision-making process.
Cheers Rumpole