Okoye suspended for two months over betting incident

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Okoye Suspended for Two Months Over Betting Incident


Nigerian and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has received a two-month suspension from the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) following a betting scandal connected to a match against Lazio in the 2023/2024 season.

The 24-year-old was found guilty of sporting misconduct after investigations suggested he intentionally got booked during the match to manipulate betting outcomes. The suspicious nature of the yellow card prompted a probe into irregular betting activity tied to that moment.

The FIGC stated that Okoye’s deliberate act to earn a caution was aimed at affecting the outcome of certain bets. This case has reignited concerns over the integrity of professional footballers and the growing impact of illegal betting rings on the sport.

After a comprehensive disciplinary process, the FIGC’s National Federal Tribunal confirmed on Tuesday that Okoye would serve a two-month suspension from all official matches, effective from the start of the 2025/2026 season.

According to the tribunal’s statement: “The National Federal Tribunal, Disciplinary Section, definitively ruling, imposes on Mr Emil Maduka Okoye the sanction of two (2) months of disqualification in official matches, starting from the beginning of the first official competition of the 2025/2026 sporting season.”

As a result, Okoye will be sidelined for six matches—starting with Udinese’s Coppa Italia clash against Carrarese on August 18, followed by the first five Serie A games. He will be eligible to return on October 19 when Udinese take on newly promoted Cremonese.

The verdict has sparked widespread discussion in both Italy and Nigeria, given Okoye’s prominence as a former first-choice goalkeeper for the Super Eagles. He has yet to respond publicly to the decision.

Since his performance at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, Okoye has struggled to hit top form and has faced criticism for inconsistent displays. This latest development could further impact his prospects at both club and national team levels.

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