LUCAS PAQUETA’S old phone is behind two new FA charges in his betting case — that could mean a life ban.
The West Ham star handed in his mobile to the FA 12 months ago — after they began investigating suspicious betting patterns surrounding four of his Premier League bookings.
The FA kept Paqueta’s phone for around eight weeks last autumn while investigators analysed his call log, messages and bank records.
During that period, Paqueta bought a replacement handset.
But, after the FA returned his original phone, he threw it out in a fateful decision that has added to his rap sheet.
SunSport has learned that at a later date the FA went back to the Brazil playmaker to ask for more access to his phone as there were further details their investigating team wanted to check — but he was unable to locate it.
As a result the FA accused him of obstructing their probe with the charges issued in May, including two aggravated breaches for non-cooperation.
Paqueta was originally accused of being deliberately booked in Prem games against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth between November 2022 and August 2023.
In addition, the 27-year-old was charged with two breaches of FA Rule F3, which relate to his mobile phone.
SunSport also revealed on Sunday that Paqueta’s hearing is expected to take place next March, although a verdict is unlikely to be reached until the summer — so he is free to play for the rest of the season.
As previously revealed by SunSport, the FA are pushing for Paqueta to be banned for LIFE, despite one of the bets placed on him worth just £7.
Around 60 people in Brazil wagered bets on the Irons star to be booked in the relevant games, with the stakes ranging from £7 to £400, leading to combined winnings of £100,000.
Paqueta strongly denies any wrongdoing.
But the ongoing case has affected his form at West Ham this term — though he did score in Saturday’s 4-1 win over Ipswich.
His goal came in the 69th minute to finish the scoring for the hosts as he tapped home after some brilliant work by Jarrod Bowen to create the chance.
The FA declined to comment on the case.
LUCAS PAQUETA has been charged by the FA over four specific games...
FIRST INCIDENT – West Ham 0-2 Leicester, 60th minute
The Brazilian was booked for lunging into Leicester’s Boubakary Soumare from behind.
After initially playing the advantage, referee Jarred Gillett eventually pulled it back and brandished the yellow.
SECOND INCIDENT – West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa, 70th minute
Four months later against Aston Villa Paqueta slid into John McGinn inside the centre circle, completely missing the ball and instead catching his legs.
THIRD INCIDENT – West Ham 3-1 Leeds, 65th minute
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign against Leeds at the London Stadium Paqueta tripped Crysencio Summerville from behind.
The foul prevented the visitors from breaking on the counter attack.
FOURTH INCIDENT – Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham, 93rd minute
With just a few minutes remaining on the opening day of the season, Paqueta jumped up for an aerial challenge but instead handled the ball.
The referee, who was standing directly in front of him, was quick to brandish the yellow.
