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Udinese and Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has received a two-month suspension from the Italian Football Federation due to a prominent betting scandal associated with a match against Lazio in the 2023/2024 season.
The 24-year-old was found guilty of sporting misconduct after accusations surfaced that he intentionally sought a yellow card during the match. This dubious booking initiated an investigation into unusual betting trends related to that event.
The FIGC stated that Okoye was charged with purposefully performing an act that resulted in his caution to manipulate betting results.
The case has sparked new concerns regarding player integrity and the increasing impact of illegal betting syndicates on professional football.
Following a comprehensive disciplinary investigation, the FIGC’s National Federal Tribunal confirmed the decision on Tuesday, stating that Okoye would be suspended from all official matches for two months.
This ban will take effect from the start of the first official game of the 2025/2026 season.
In a court statement, the Disciplinary Section of the National Federal Tribunal declared, “The National Federal Tribunal, Disciplinary Section, definitively ruling, imposes on Emil Maduka Okoye the sanction of two (2) months of disqualification in official matches, beginning with the first official competition of the 2025/2026 sports season.”
As a result, Okoye will miss six competitive matches, including Udinese’s season debut in the Coppa Italia against Carrarese on August 18, as well as the first five fixtures of Serie A.
He will be eligible for selection again on October 19 when Udinese plays against newly promoted Cremonese.
This outcome has ignited discussions throughout Italy and Nigeria, especially considering Okoye’s status with the national team. It also adds to the increasing scrutiny of players’ actions in relation to controversial betting-related misconduct in recent years.
Okoye, who was once Nigeria’s starting goalkeeper and participated in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, has not publicly addressed the ruling and has struggled to regain peak form since that tournament, facing criticism for his inconsistent performances.
The suspension raises further uncertainty about his prospects of regaining a regular starting position at both the club and international levels.
