Maduka Okoye, the Nigerian goalkeeper for Serie A club Udinese, is currently under investigation by the Udine Public Prosecutor’s Office for potential involvement in illegal betting activities.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the investigation stems from suspicious gambling patterns flagged by the betting agency Sisal, particularly surrounding Okoye’s yellow card in Udinese’s away match against Lazio in March 2024.
During the match, Okoye received a yellow card for time-wasting in the 64th minute, raising questions about possible match-fixing.
The authorities are also probing Diego Giordano, the owner of Biffi pizzeria in Udine, for his alleged role in facilitating a verbal betting agreement at his restaurant.
Should Okoye be found guilty, he could face a four-year ban from football, along with other legal repercussions.
In response to the allegations, Okoye’s legal representatives have firmly denied the claims, calling them unfounded and lacking credible evidence.
This development comes amidst a backdrop of high-profile betting scandals in football, with players like Sandro Tonali, Kieran Trippier, and Ivan Toney receiving significant bans in recent years.
Football associations worldwide maintain strict regulations prohibiting players from betting on their own matches or sharing insider information that could influence betting outcomes.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper, who is currently recovering from wrist surgery, has not played for Udinese recently. In the meantime, the club has brought in Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik as a temporary replacement.
Okoye made his return to the Nigerian national team in November 2024 after a two-year absence, playing in a 2-1 victory over Rwanda in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
