[West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta is preparing to launch a legal claim against the Football Association (FA)](http://theguardian.com/football/2025/sep/04/lucas-paqueta-plans-legal-claim-against-fa-for-more-than-1m-after-spot-fixing-acquittal) to recover more than £1 million in costs following his clearance in a high-profile spot-fixing case.
The West Ham star was formally exonerated last month after a 314-page regulatory commission report dismissed the FA’s allegations.
Now, the 27-year-old wants to pursue the governing body for reimbursement of legal fees, which could amount to between £1 million and £1.5 million.
[Paqueta](https://westhamblog.co.uk/posts/lucas-paqueta-likely-to-stay-at-west-ham-after-defiant-celebration-in-forest-thrashing/) will likely not seek damages for lost earnings, including the collapse of an £85 million move from West Ham to Manchester City in the summer of 2023.
The commission’s scathing criticism of the FA’s handling of the investigation will help his case.
The report flagged multiple flaws in the prosecution, describing certain aspects as surprising, concerning, and contradictory.
Among the failings identified was the FA’s decision not to call an independent expert to assess 253 suspicious bets linked to the four yellow cards Paqueta was accused of deliberately earning.
His legal team will argue that the prolonged delays caused by these missteps not only escalated costs but also placed significant strain on the player and West Ham.
The Hammers had unsuccessfully lobbied for an expedited hearing after he was charged in May 2024.
The FA is already facing an estimated £1 million bill for its own legal expenses, which it cannot recover. If Paqueta’s claim succeeds, the final cost of the case could reach £3 million.
A new hearing will now be scheduled to determine how costs are apportioned and to decide Paqueta’s punishment for two lesser charges of failing to cooperate fully with the investigation.
West Ham are not planning any legal action of their own, despite the club having the right to argue that the case prevented them from receiving a substantial windfall and negatively impacted the player’s form.