As time winded down versus Liverpool on Sunday so did Lucas Paqueta's career at West Ham. It's clear that England's Football Association (FA) has it out for the Hammers' number 10. Few stories have gripped fans like that of Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian midfielder, once hailed as West Ham United's creative linchpin, arrived in London in 2022 with a reputation for flair and vision forged at AC Milan and Flamengo. But over the past three years, his tenure has been overshadowed by a relentless FA investigation into alleged betting misconduct—a saga that, despite his recent clearance, reeks of institutional overreach and personal vendetta. As Paqueta's frustrations boil over—culminating in a shocking red card against Liverpool—whispers of an imminent exit grow louder. This isn't just a player's burnout; it's a damning indictment of how the FA's machinery can grind down even the most resilient talents, pushing them toward pastures new.
Even after exoneration, the scars run deep. Paqueta's post-verdict life at West Ham has been a facade of normalcy, punctuated by simmering discontent. In September 2025, his lawyer Alastair Campbell hinted at a potential lawsuit against the FA for reputational and financial damages, citing the probe's "impact on his mental health and family." Fans and pundits alike have noted a shift in the 28-year-old's demeanor: once a silky orchestrator with 13 goals and 15 assists in his debut season, he's now prone to lapses, his creativity stifled by the weight of scrutiny.
This season, with West Ham teetering in the relegation zone under Nuno Espirito Santo, Paqueta's frustrations erupted spectacularly. On November 30, in a 2-0 home defeat to Liverpool, he was sent off in the 83rd minute for dissent—berating referee Darren England over a non-call on teammate Niclas Fullkrug's foul, earning two quick yellows. Teammates dragged him away, but not before the damage was done.
In a raw post-match statement, Paqueta didn't hold back: "It's ridiculous to have your life and career affected for two years without any psychological support from the federation." He apologized to fans and teammates but laid the blame squarely at the FA's door, linking his "low mood" to the lingering trauma. Social media exploded with accusations—some fans even reviving "match-fixing" whispers, claiming he "asked for the red card." The suspension means he'll miss a crucial clash with Manchester United on December 4, further hampering West Ham's survival bid. Nuno's response was telling: "I'm going to speak to Lucas and try to understand his frustrations." But insiders whisper that the incident has accelerated exit talks.
PAQUETA'S NIGHTMARE
Paqueta's nightmare began in earnest in August 2023, when the FA launched a probe into suspicious betting patterns surrounding four Premier League matches: West Ham's draws against Leicester City (November 2022), Aston Villa (March 2023), Leeds United (May 2023), and a loss to Bournemouth (August 2023). In each, Paqueta received a yellow card, prompting the governing body to allege he had "directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect" of the games by intentionally inviting bookings to manipulate betting markets for others' profit. The charges invoked FA Rule E5.1, with potential penalties including a lifetime ban—a fate that would have echoed the severest punishments in football history.
What followed was a grueling 22-month investigation, marked by delays, adjournments, and what Paqueta's legal team later described as "obvious flaws" in the FA's evidence. The FA pointed to 253 suspicious bets totaling £47,000 in stakes, yielding £167,000 in winnings, with links to 27 individuals in Brazil allegedly connected to Paqueta. Yet, as the independent Regulatory Commission's July 2025 written reasons revealed, the case crumbled under scrutiny. No betting-related communications were found on Paqueta's two seized mobile phones, and the FA failed to commission an independent analysis of the betting data—a "significant" oversight that undermined their entire premise.
The commission's verdict? The charges were "not proven," attributing the betting spikes to "hot tips" and "perceived inside information" circulating in Brazil's gossip-prone football circles, rather than orchestrated corruption. Paqueta was reprimanded only for two minor breaches of FA Rule F3—failing to fully cooperate early in the probe—but escaped a fine, with the FA ordered to cover 90% of costs. High-profile witnesses, including former referee Mark Clattenburg, lambasted the FA's handling, while David Moyes, Paqueta's ex-manager, testified to the player's integrity amid the chaos.
For Paqueta, the clearance came too late. "It's like being trapped in Big Brother... but with the world judging," he reflected in a recent interview. The ordeal torpedoed a £80 million move to Manchester City in 2023, costing him millions in potential wages and endorsements. His market value plummeted from £50 million to around £30-40 million, per recent estimates, turning a golden opportunity into a gilded cage at West Ham.
Rumors of Paqueta's exit have swirled since his clearance, but the Liverpool meltdown has turned speculation into inevitability. West Ham, desperate to avoid relegation, rebuffed a £50 million Saudi Pro League bid in November, with owner David Sullivan demanding double that for a mid-season sale. Yet, sources indicate Paqueta has made his stance clear: this is his "one more season" at the London Stadium. A cryptic social media post in September—"choosing those who welcomed you... who loved you and made you feel at home"—hinted at gratitude laced with goodbye.
The FA's role in this exodus is undeniable. Their probe, criticized for leaks and procedural lapses, not only derailed Paqueta's career trajectory but eroded his trust in English football's establishment. Lucas Paqueta's Premier League story could have been one of triumph—a Brazilian maestro elevating West Ham to European contention. Instead, it's a cautionary epic of institutional overzeal, where an unproven hunch cost a player his prime years and a club its brightest spark. As he eyes the exit, one truth lingers: the FA didn't just investigate Paqueta; they alienated him. And in doing so, they've handed English football's crown jewel to a rival league or a continental powerhouse. The irony? In clearing him, they sealed his departure. Football fans worldwide will mourn the loss, but for Paqueta, freedom from the FA's shadow can't come soon enough.