Nigeria’s Maduka Okoye has been slammed with a two-month suspension by the Italian football authorities after being found guilty of misconduct linked to a suspicious yellow card incident during a league game against Lazio last season.
The 24-year-old Udinese goalkeeper reportedly attracted scrutiny after betting irregularities emerged around the timing of his caution in the match.
Following an investigation, Italy’s football disciplinary body ruled that the booking was intentional and aimed at influencing betting outcomes.
The ban will take effect from the start of the 2025/26 season, ruling Okoye out of Udinese’s early fixtures, including the opening Coppa Italia tie and the first five Serie A matches.
This development has raised fresh concerns about betting influence in professional football and could affect Okoye’s already fragile position in both his club and national teams.
Okoye has yet to issue an official statement.
