Udinese and Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-month suspension by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) following a betting scandal tied to a Serie A match against Lazio during the 2023/2024 season.
The 24-year-old was found guilty of sporting misconduct after allegedly seeking a deliberate yellow card during the match — an action linked to suspicious betting activity. The abnormal betting patterns triggered an investigation, which led to the formal charge of intentionally influencing the outcome for betting gains.
The FIGC’s National Federal Tribunal confirmed the decision on Tuesday, announcing Okoye’s disqualification from all official matches for two months, effective from the start of the 2025/2026 football season.
“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,” the statement read.
The ban means Okoye will miss six competitive fixtures, including Udinese’s Coppa Italia opener against Carrarese on August 18, and the first five Serie A games. He is expected to return on October 19 for Udinese’s clash against newly promoted Cremonese.
This development has sparked debate in both Italy and Nigeria, where Okoye previously served as Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper, notably at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. His form has since come under scrutiny, and this suspension could further affect his chances of reclaiming a regular starting spot at club and international level.
As of press time, Okoye has not issued any public statement regarding the ruling. The incident adds to growing concerns over the influence of illegal betting syndicates and the integrity of professional football.
