Yasin Patel comments on Lucas Paquetá and spot-fixing in The Telegraph and The Standard

Yasin Patel has provided comment in The Telegraph and The Standard on the news that West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been acquitted of spot-fixing charges following an independent investigation.

“With the FA gunning for a life-time ban against the Brazilian midfielder, today’s news will likely be an embarrassment for the governing body. The questions it raises are two-fold: did the FA misjudge the case and its importance, or is this another example of governing bodies being toothless against well-represented clients but bullying smaller ones?

“In bringing cases like this there are many things to consider – including international betting patterns, the forms of bets, the players disciplinary record, social media and phone records and personal finances. The FA will say that they had a duty to investigate. Others will say they were doing the bidding of betting giants – companies that watch every booking, make billions, and face none of the fallout. Either way, the FA are left with a bloody nose.

“For Paquetá, once tipped to join Manchester City, this verdict brings relief. However, the personal cost has been huge. Financially, the damage is also clear. Whatever his performances on the pitch, Paquetá certainly did not benefit commercially – with lost deals and missed opportunities. Whether he pursues compensation remains to be seen.

“In relation to the lesser charges of failing to cooperate with the FA’s investigation and providing information and documents, this also comes as no surprise. Phones and emails hold deeply personal data. Governing bodies can demand disclosure but, outside of the alleged offence, the rest is none of their business. Many refuse full access, and Paquetá was no different in this sense.”

Yasin’s comments were published in The Telegraph and The Standard, 31 July 2025.