Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-month suspension after being found guilty of illegal betting by Italian football authorities. The controversy began during a Serie A match on March 11, 2024, between Udinese and Lazio. Okoye received a yellow card for time-wasting in the 64th minute while his team led 2-1.
Shortly after the match, integrity units flagged a surge of suspicious betting activity focused on Okoye receiving a yellow card. Most bets originated from the Udine region, with odds reportedly set at 8/1, resulting in over €120,000 paid out in winnings. This led to an investigation involving Okoye and three acquaintances.
Initially, there were concerns that Okoye could face a four-year ban for sporting fraud. However, after a thorough review, the disciplinary tribunal downgraded the charges to illegal betting alone. The Italian Football Federation’s (FIGC) Federal Tribunal ultimately cleared Okoye of the serious charge of sporting fraud, issuing him a lighter two-month ban under Article 4 of the Sporting Judicial Code for violating principles of fairness.
In an official statement, Udinese expressed relief over the outcome, stating: “The club is satisfied that the athlete has been totally cleared of the insulting allegations of match-fixing. The Federal Tribunal of the FIGC has today excluded any involvement of the player Maduka Okoye in sporting fraud, fully accepting the arguments put forward by his lawyers.”
Udinese reaffirmed their support for Okoye and his integrity as a professional athlete. The suspension is set to begin on August 18, 2025, coinciding with Udinese’s Coppa Italia fixture against Carrarese. As a result, Okoye will miss six crucial Serie A matches and is expected to return to action on October 19.
Despite this setback, Okoye’s career remains largely intact, having been cleared of more serious allegations. The Super Eagles goalkeeper, who joined Udinese from Watford in 2023 and has earned 18 caps for Nigeria, will now focus on rebuilding trust both on and off the pitch. With Udinese’s backing and a relatively short ban, Okoye’s path to redemption may be challenging but is certainly achievable.
