Lucas Paquetá could face a lifetime ban from football after reportedly being hit with two new charges by the Football Association (FA) over his ongoing betting case.
The West Ham midfielder is accused of deliberately getting booked in Premier League matches to influence betting markets.
The FA alleges that Paquetá intentionally received yellow cards in games against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds, and Bournemouth, enabling him and others to profit from bets placed on his bookings.
Paquetá has denied the allegations, stating previously, “I will fight with every breath to clear my name.”
Reports claim that around 60 individuals in Brazil placed bets ranging from £7 to £400 on Paquetá being booked in these matches, with total winnings amounting to £100,000.
The Sun now reports that the FA is bringing two additional charges against the 26-year-old, citing non-cooperation related to his old phone.
The original investigation saw Paquetá’s phone seized for two months last year as authorities examined his messages, call logs, and banking details. During that period, he purchased a new phone.
While the FA eventually returned the device, they later requested it again to verify further information.
However, Paquetá reportedly told investigators that he had discarded the old phone and could no longer locate it. This has led the FA to accuse the player of obstructing the investigation, filing two aggravated charges for failing to cooperate.
The allegations first came to light in August 2023, when Mail Sport broke the story, which had a dramatic impact on the player’s career.
His £85 million transfer to Premier League champions Manchester City collapsed as a result, and his form dipped noticeably towards the end of last season.
West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui has maintained that Paquetá is coping well with the pressures surrounding the case. However, the manager admitted he has not discussed the legal situation directly with the player.
“I’m happy with his behaviour and his commitment,” Lopetegui said last month.
“He’s working very hard, he’s trying to understand what we want. We’re trying to help him to be better and better. He’s an important player.”
Lopetegui added: “We don’t talk about [the charges]. We talk about football, about the next match and about life. But not about this.”
Despite the controversy, Paquetá has featured prominently for West Ham this season, making nine appearances and scoring two goals. His hearing is scheduled for March 2025, and the stakes could not be higher, with the midfielder’s footballing future hanging in the balance.