Nigeria’s goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, is currently under investigation by the Udine Public Prosecutor’s Office for suspicious betting activities related to a yellow card he received during a Serie A match against Lazio in March 2024. If found guilty, Okoye could face a four-year ban from football.
Betting agency Sisal flagged unusual gambling patterns surrounding Okoye’s booking during the match, leading to the investigation. It is alleged that a pizzeria owner in Udine, Diego Giordano, was involved in facilitating the bets, which were placed days before the game at a Sisal outlet.
The prosecutors initiated the probe based on Sisal’s findings, resulting in searches at Okoye’s residence and Giordano’s establishment. Despite the accusations, Okoye’s legal team has refuted the claims, citing a lack of concrete evidence.
If Okoye is proven guilty, he could face serious repercussions under Article 24 of the Italian Code of Sports Justice, which prohibits footballers from gambling on matches organized by official governing bodies.
Okoye, who is recovering from wrist surgery, faces a challenging period as Udinese has signed another goalkeeper as cover. The investigation is ongoing, with potential penalties ranging from seven months to four years depending on the severity of the offense.