Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has received a two-month suspension for illegal betting following an investigation by Italian football authorities, as reported by Football Italia.
The Nigerian international, who plays for Serie A club Udinese, was initially at risk of facing a four-year ban for sporting fraud but was handed a reduced punishment after the disciplinary panel found no sufficient evidence to charge him with more severe offenses.
The incident dates back to March 11, 2024, during a Serie A match between Udinese and Lazio. Okoye was booked for time-wasting in the 64th minute while his team was leading 2-1. Authorities later flagged a spike in suspicious bets that accurately predicted Okoye would receive a yellow card. Most of these bets, placed at 8 to 1 odds and totaling more than €120,000 in winnings, were traced to the Udine region.
This prompted an investigation involving Okoye and three of his acquaintances. The case was brought before the disciplinary commission in June 2025. While initially feared he could be charged with sporting fraud, the final ruling issued a two-month ban strictly for illegal betting.
The National Federal Court’s official statement reads: “The National Federal Court, Disciplinary Section, definitively pronouncing, improves to Mr. Emil Maduka Okoye the sanction of 2 months (two) of disqualification in official races, starting from the start of the first official competition of the 2025 2026 season.”
The suspension will begin on August 18, 2025, when Udinese face Carrarese in the Coppa Italia. Okoye will miss six Serie A fixtures and will be eligible to return on October 19. His absence will also affect the Super Eagles, as he is set to miss Nigeria’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda and South Africa in September.
Okoye, 25, joined Udinese from English side Watford in 2023 and has earned 18 international caps for Nigeria. The club has yet to release an official statement regarding the court’s decision. The exact details of Okoye’s involvement in the betting activities remain unclear, but the suspension marks a significant setback for both player and club as the new season approaches.
