Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been suspended by Italian football authorities and will miss six Serie A matches due to his involvement in illegal betting activities.
The suspension follows an investigation into suspicious betting patterns during a Serie A clash between Udinese and Lazio on March 11, 2024. Okoye was booked in the 64th minute for time-wasting, with Udinese leading 2–1.
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According to Football Italia, authorities flagged a sharp rise in bets specifically predicting that Okoye would receive a yellow card. The unusually high volume of bets placed at odds of 8/1—originated mostly from the Udine region and reportedly led to payouts exceeding €120,000.
Okoye and three associates were subsequently placed under formal investigation, with the case brought before Italy’s disciplinary commission in June 2025. While there were initial fears of a four-year ban for sporting fraud, the commission instead imposed a lesser charge of illegal betting.
The suspension takes effect from August 18, 2025, sidelining Okoye for Udinese’s Coppa Italia fixture against Carrarese and the opening six Serie A games of the season. He will be eligible to return on October 19, 2025.
The 25-year-old, who has made 18 appearances for the Nigerian national team, joined Udinese from Watford in 2023.
