Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been taken off Udinese’s registered player list in Italy’s Serie A. If found guilty, the 25-year-old, who is being probed for questionable betting practices related to a yellow card he received during Udinese’s 2-1 victory over Lazio on March 11, 2024, could be banned for five years.
Investigators raided Okoye’s house following a complaint by betting agency Sisal, whose algorithm detected unusual gambling activities linked to the goalkeeper’s yellow card for time-wasting in the 90th minute.
The Prosecutor’s Office in Udine also searched the premises of Diego Giordano, a pizzeria owner whose restaurant is frequented by Juventus footballers, as part of the investigation.
Udinese have replaced Okoye with newly-signed goalkeeper Egil Selvik in their 25-man squad, though it remains unclear if the decision was due to the allegations or the Nigerian’s season-ending wrist injury.
The club’s coach, Kosta Runjaic, had earlier maintained that the team’s atmosphere remained positive despite the controversy.
“We haven’t talked about it; we’re focused on Como. The atmosphere is still very good; the team spirit is there, and we’re working diligently,” – Runjaic said.
Okoye, who joined Udinese in 2023 from Watford, has made 37 appearances for the Italian club. His legal representatives have dismissed the betting allegations as baseless.
