‘I’ve been a victim, it stinks’ – Lucas Paqueta case takes new twist as FA slaughtered
West Ham have saved around £1million after Lucas Paqueta’s spot-fixing case took a dramatic twist.
The 27-year-old was accused of picking up bookings for the purpose of financial gain four separate times between November 2022 and August 2023.
Paqueta was facing a lifetime ban from the FA, but has now been cleared of all charges and is free to continue playing football.
West Ham could still cash in on the Brazilian this summer, with offers of £30m for the midfielder to be accepted by the Hammers.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – revealed that the East London side have saved at least £1m as a result of Paqueta winning his legal case.
‘FA will pay Paqueta’s legal costs’
This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness confirmed that the Football Association (FA) should pay Paqueta’s legal costs, which could amount to £1m.
The 27-year-old was first investigated back in August 2023, and after a long, drawn-out case that spanned two years, a verdict has finally been reached.
Wyness added that Paqueta was forced through an outdated system, and that the FA must look into changing the process.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “This is one of these FA kangaroo courts called independent tribunals and I find them to be completely devoid of justice.
“I’ve been a victim of it when I got a massive fine and a suspension from football for three weeks, all because I thought I was retweeting a video, but actually it also came with a comment that was before the video.
“It was a genuinely honest transgression. And yet here I was sitting in front of this tribunal who have the power to make these ridiculous levels of fines and suspensions that in any court in the country would be seen to be way too much and way too heavy in terms of the crimes that are committed.
“It just seems that these guys on these tribunals just feel that they’re the masters of the universe and can impose these huge, disproportionate situations. This has got to be looked at, and the FA have got to have much more proportionate consequences with people when they’re found guilty.
“Now Paqueta is cleared, it may be the FA gets stuck with costs, which could be up to £1m. I hope that’s the case, because I think the FA need to really look at these situations and make the penalties proportionate, and also re-look at the whole system.
“I know some of the people involved in these tribunals. I don’t think that they’re independent. I think they’ve got loyalty to the FA, and the FA try to say they’re independent. I don’t believe they are. I think the whole thing stinks, and it’s something that I really would like to see changed within the game and the way the game is governed.
“Gone are the days when you could just have your local lawyer come into a tribunal and suggest some ideas. The game is much more sophisticated and I think it’s outlived the way that the FA have handled things to date.”
West Ham make bid for star goalkeeper
Meanwhile, West Ham have submitted a £10million bid for Botafogo’s John Victor, sources have told Football Insider.
This comes after Football Insider revealed an unnamed club had joined Aston Villa, Wolves, and Burnley in the race for the 29-year-old’s signature, who impressed at the Club World Cup this summer.
West Ham have made an official move for the goalkeeper as they look to reinforce in the key position ahead of the new campaign.
The experienced shot-stopper has featured for Santos, Botafogo, and Real Valladolid over the last few seasons, catching the attention of multiple teams around Europe.
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