Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye banned from football

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye banned from football

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been issued a two-month suspension after being found guilty of illegal betting by Italian football authorities.

According to Football Italia on Tuesday, the Nigerian international, who presently plays for Serie A club Udinese, evaded a potentially career-ending four-year penalty for sporting fraud.

The dispute arose from a Serie A match between Udinese and Lazio on March 11, 2024. Okoye drew a yellow card in the 64th minute for time-wasting, with his team leading 2-1.

Authorities reported the incident after noticing an increase in strange betting patterns, notably wagers expecting a yellow card for Okoye.

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The majority of these wagers, purportedly placed at odds of 8/1, were from the Udine area and are estimated to have netted more than €120,000 in prizes.

The custodian and three associates were then investigated, and the case was brought before Italy’s disciplinary commission in June 2025.

Despite initial concerns about a probable sporting fraud accusation that might have resulted in a four-year penalty, the commission ruled on a lesser violation – unauthorised betting.

The suspension will begin on August 18, 2025, which coincides with Udinese’s Coppa Italia match against Carrarese.

Okoye will therefore miss six Serie A games and will be available for selection again on October 19.

Okoye, who has 18 caps for the Nigerian national team, joined Udinese from English club Watford in 2023.

Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye banned from football