Lucas Paquetá confronts two new charges as a potential lifetime ban approaches.

Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá is set for a hearing in March, but now faces two additional charges from the FA for allegedly obstructing their investigation by failing to cooperate, as reported by The Sun.

The FA had confiscated Paquetá’s phone for two months as part of their probe into his messages, calls, and banking history.

During that period, he bought a new phone.

Although the original phone was returned, the FA later requested it again for further checks. Paquetá, however, has since disposed of the device and cannot locate it.

The initial charges allege that Paquetá intentionally received yellow cards in matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds, and Bournemouth during the 2023/24 Premier League season, allowing him or his associates to profit from bets placed on him being booked. Paquetá has denied all allegations.

Reports indicate that approximately 60 people in Brazil placed bets ranging from £7 to £400 on him receiving yellow cards in those games, leading to total winnings of £100,000.

While his hearing is scheduled for March, a final verdict may not be reached until the summer.

Paquetá will remain eligible to play for the rest of the season but could face a lifetime ban if found guilty.

When asked about the case, West Ham manager Julen Lopetegui responded, “We don’t talk about that, we talk about football, the next match, and life, but not about that.”