Maduka Okoye is facing a potential four-year ban from football after being accused of sporting fraud linked to suspicious betting activity during a Serie A match.
Okoye, who plays for Udinese, allegedly deliberately received a yellow card in the 64th minute of a match against Lazio on March 11, 2024, which his team won 2-1.
The allegations against Okoye include unusual betting patterns surrounding his yellow card, with bets placed at 8/1 odds generating over €120,000 in winnings. Investigators suspect that Okoye had a prior agreement with one of the bettors, reportedly a close friend who owns a pizza restaurant in Udine.
If found guilty, Okoye risks a ban of up to four years, which could significantly impact his career at both club and international levels.
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The case has been formally referred to Italy’s disciplinary commission, and formal proceedings are imminent.
Okoye joined Udinese from Watford in the summer of 2023 and has made 48 appearances for the Italian club, including 46 in Serie A. He has 18 senior caps for Nigeria.
He was once pegged ahead of Stanley Nwabali in the Super Eagles squad. Okoye has since lose his standing as the number one goalkeeper in the Super Eagles squad as recent coaches now prefer the towering Stanley Nwabali at the sticks.
Maduka Okoye
Okoye was an unused substitute in all of Nigeria’s campaign at the last African Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast and is still used a a standing backup to Nwabali in both the Nations Cup and World cup qualifiers
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The potential ban could derail his career, with several clubs, including Bournemouth and AC Milan, reportedly interested in signing him.
The investigation is ongoing, and Okoye’s fate will be determined by the disciplinary commission. If convicted, Okoye’s career could be severely impacted, and he may face a long-term ban from football.
