Udinese and Nigeria goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been handed a two-month suspension by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) over his involvement in a betting-related misconduct during the 2023/2024 Serie A season.
The 24-year-old was found guilty of sporting misconduct after he allegedly sought to deliberately receive a yellow card during a league match against Lazio. The caution reportedly triggered unusual betting activity, prompting an investigation into possible manipulation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the FIGC’s National Federal Tribunal confirmed that Okoye had been sanctioned for intentionally committing an act to influence betting outcomes. The ruling followed a disciplinary inquiry into the incident.
The development has reignited concerns over the integrity of the sport and the growing threat posed by illegal betting syndicates.
Okoye’s two-month ban will take effect from the first official match of the 2025/2026 season, ruling him out of all sanctioned competitions during that period.
