Nigeria international Maduka Okoye is now officially facing a major match-fixing investigation in Italy, with the Udinese goalkeeper at risk of a four-year ban from football if found guilty of sporting misconduct.
The development follows earlier reports — including from Bold Sports in January — that Okoye was under investigation over suspicious betting activity linked to a yellow card he received during a Serie A game against Lazio on March 11, 2024.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Italy’s federal prosecutor has now formally accused Okoye of violating Article 30 of the Italian sporting code, which relates to actions aimed at altering the course or result of a match, or securing an advantage in the standings.
In the 64th minute of that match — with Udinese leading 2-1 — Maduka Okoye was booked by referee Aureliano for time-wasting. While the incident seemed routine at first, betting monitors flagged unusual volumes of bets placed specifically on Okoye receiving a yellow card.
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Investigators allege that the Super Eagles goalkeeper had a prior arrangement with one of the bettors, identified as a friend of his who owns a pizzeria in Udine. Bets placed on the incident reportedly paid eight times the stake, with winnings exceeding €120,000, most of it claimed through betting shops in the Udine area.
Okoye is now being investigated along with three others by the Udine Police Headquarters for fraud in competition. On the sporting side, the charge of sporting misconduct is considered extremely serious, and unlike violations under Article 24 — which covers betting participation — this one cannot be resolved by negotiation.
If found guilty, the 24-year-old could be suspended from all football activities for up to four years.
Okoye had recently reestablished himself as Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper and has returned to the Super Eagles after a long absence which saw him miss the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, but this looming case could severely derail his club and international career.
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