Super Eagles and Udinese Calcio goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-month ban for illegal betting, following an investigation into suspicious gambling activity during a Serie A match in March 2024.
However, he was cleared of more serious charges, including match-fixing and breaches of gambling regulations.
Okoye had faced the possibility of a four-year suspension for sporting fraud. But after a detailed inquiry, the authorities settled on a lesser charge, sparing the 25-year-old Nigeria international a lengthy career setback.
The controversy began during the Serie A clash between Udinese and Lazio on March 11, 2024, at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. Okoye was booked for time-wasting in the 64th minute with his team leading 2-1. Investigators flagged a surge in betting activity surrounding the likelihood of the goalkeeper receiving a yellow card bets that reportedly yielded over €120,000 in winnings at 8/1 odds, mostly placed in the Udine region.
Okoye, along with three associates, was placed under investigation and referred to the disciplinary commission in June 2025.
Following the ruling, his suspension will begin with Udinese’s Coppa Italia opener against Carrarese on August 18, 2025. The ban will see him miss six Serie A matches, with eligibility to return on October 19.