Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been issued a two-month suspension after being found guilty of illegal betting by Italian football authorities.
According to Football Italia on Tuesday, the Nigerian international, who presently plays for Serie A club Udinese, evaded a potentially career-ending four-year penalty for sporting fraud.
The dispute arose from a Serie A match between Udinese and Lazio on March 11, 2024. Okoye drew a yellow card in the 64th minute for time-wasting, with his team leading 2-1.
Authorities reported the incident after noticing an increase in strange betting patterns, notably wagers expecting a yellow card for Okoye.
The majority of these wagers, purportedly placed at odds of 8/1, were from the Udine area and are estimated to have netted more than €120,000 in prizes.
The custodian and three associates were then investigated, and the case was brought before Italy’s disciplinary commission in June 2025.
Despite initial concerns about a probable sporting fraud accusation that might have resulted in a four-year penalty, the commission ruled on a lesser violation – unauthorised betting.
The suspension will begin on August 18, 2025, which coincides with Udinese’s Coppa Italia match against Carrarese.
Okoye will therefore miss six Serie A games and will be available for selection again on October 19.
Okoye, who has 18 caps for the Nigerian national team, joined Udinese from English club Watford in 2023.
