Super Eagles goalkeeper Okoye suspended for betting offense in Italy
Udinese and Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been suspended for two months after being found guilty of illegal betting in Italy.
The 25-year-old Nigerian international was investigated alongside three associates over suspicious bets worth ₦214 million (around €120,000), allegedly placed on matches involving his own team.
The investigation began after Udinese’s match against Lazio on March 11, 2024, where Okoye was booked in the 64th minute for time-wasting. A surge of bets predicting his yellow card raised suspicions among betting regulators.
Many of the winning bets originated from the Udine area, prompting authorities to dig deeper. Their findings led to Okoye’s case being forwarded to the disciplinary commission in June 2025.
Although he faced the possibility of a four-year ban for sporting fraud, the commission handed down a lighter punishment—a two-month suspension from all football activity.
The ban will begin on August 18, 2025, the day Udinese face Carrarese in the Coppa Italia. Okoye will miss the first six matches of the Serie A season but will be eligible to return on October 19.
The suspension comes at a critical time for Okoye, who has been in fine form. He recently earned a spot in Serie A’s Team of the Week after a standout performance against Atalanta.
Okoye, who joined Udinese from Watford in 2023, has made 18 appearances for Nigeria.
