Credit: Hasan Karim - Breaking Media/ Imago

Alex Oakhill

Sun 3 August 2025 15:05, UK

West Ham have saved around £1million after Lucas Paqueta’s spot-fixing case took a dramatic twist.

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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.

West Ham may have been saved up to £1m (Credit: Imago)

This article contains exclusive comment from Keith Wyness, former Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen CEO.

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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Wyness added that Paqueta was forced through an outdated system, and that the FA must look into changing the process.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.

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 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.

The game is much more sophisticated and I think it’s outlived the way that the FA have handled things to date.”

Paqueta was under investigation for two years (Credit: Imago)

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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