Maduka Okoye Suspended Two Months For Illegal Betting

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

According to Football Italia, the Nigerian international—currently playing for Serie A side Udinese—was initially under investigation for sporting fraud, a charge that could have resulted in a four-year ban. However, the disciplinary commission ruled on the lesser offence of illegal betting.

The case stems from a Serie A match between Udinese and Lazio on March 11, 2024. Okoye received a yellow card for time-wasting in the 64th minute while his team led 2–1. Authorities flagged the incident after noticing a spike in suspicious bets predicting a booking for Okoye, many placed at 8/1 odds and reportedly earning over €120,000—most of them traced to the Udine area.

The goalkeeper and three associates were investigated, and charges were officially brought in June 2025.

His suspension begins August 18, 2025, and will see him miss six Serie A matches, including Udinese’s Coppa Italia tie against Carrarese. He will be eligible to return on October 19.

Okoye, who has 18 caps for Nigeria, joined Udinese from English club Watford in 2023.