Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-month suspension by Italian football authorities after being found guilty of illegal betting. According to reports by Football Italia, Okoye, who plays for Serie A club Udinese, narrowly escaped a potentially devastating four-year ban for sporting fraud. The suspension, which is set to begin on August 18, 2025, will see Okoye miss several crucial matches, including six Serie A games and Udinese’s Coppa Italia fixture against Carrarese. During his absence, Razvan Sava is expected to take over as the team’s primary goalkeeper. The incident dates back to a Serie A match against Lazio on March 11, 2024, where suspicious bets were placed on Okoye receiving a yellow card. An investigation by Italian authorities revealed that Okoye and three friends had been involved in irregular betting activities, including bets that generated over €120,000 in winnings. While Okoye’s actions were deemed serious enough to warrant a ban, the authorities ultimately decided on a two-month suspension, rather than the more severe four-year ban for sporting fraud. Udinese has since expressed their support for Okoye, clearing him of match-fixing allegations and reaffirming their trust in his integrity and professionalism.
