Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been suspended for two months by Italian football authorities after being found guilty of illegal betting. The ruling, reported by Football Italia, spares the Nigerian international a much harsher four-year ban which could have ended his career if he had been convicted of sporting fraud.
The case dates back to a Serie A match between Udinese and Lazio on March 11, 2024, where Okoye received a yellow card in the 64th minute for time-wasting. Authorities flagged the incident after noticing a spike in suspicious betting activity, with large bets—mainly from the Udine area—predicting Okoye would be booked. These bets, placed at odds of 8/1, reportedly yielded over €120,000.
Following investigations involving Okoye and three associates, the Italian disciplinary commission reviewed the case in June 2025. While the charges could have resulted in a severe punishment for sporting fraud, the commission settled on the lesser offence of illegal betting, leading to a two-month suspension.
The ban begins on August 18, 2025, just as Udinese faces Carrarese in the Coppa Italia. Okoye is set to miss six Serie A matches and will return to action on October 19. The 18-cap Nigerian international joined Udinese in 2023 after a stint with English club Watford.
