Lucas Paqueta's FA spot-fixing hearing was not concluded in the three-week timeframe originally hoped - and Mail Sport has been told the West Ham playmaker's angst is being prolonged as he must now wait more than a month for it to start up again.
Paqueta has been fighting to prove he is innocent of picking up yellow cards on purpose to influence betting outcomes, with the threat of a life ban hanging over the 27-year-old Brazilian if found guilty.
Sources say the turmoil has been mentally taxing on the Hammers midfielder, who has long maintained his innocence against the FA's charges.