Paqueta's bubble of a dream City move and Prem medal burst as FA put him through hell on failed 'gamble' rap

LUCAS PAQUETA may have cleared his name over the gambling charges that have hung over him for the last two years - but the man who led the Brazilian's legal defence believes the episode has cost him a Premier League medal.

- BY SIMON MULLOCK Chief Football Writer

Paqueta, 27, was on the brink of an £85million move from West Ham to Manchester City when it emerged that he was being investigated by the FA over suspicions that he had deliberately got himself booked in four different games as part of a spot-fixing sting.

An independent commission ruled during the week that the FA had failed to prove their case, although two charges claiming that the midfielder failed to cooperate with the process were upheld.

Now, Alastair Campbell, a partner at the law firm Level, has revealed how the case has taken a heavy toll on Paqueta — despite the positive outcome. Campbell said: “Lucas’ life has basically been on hold for the last two years. He woke up every morning with the fear that this could be the day when his career was going to be over.