Italian Serie A club Udinese has removed Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye from its registered players list, following an ongoing investigation into alleged betting irregularities.
The 25-year-old is under scrutiny for suspicious gambling activity tied to a yellow card he received in the 90th minute of Udinese’s 2-1 victory over Lazio on March 11, 2024. The booking, issued for time-wasting, has raised alarms due to unusual betting patterns flagged by Italian authorities.
The investigation was initiated after a complaint from betting agency Sisal, whose algorithm detected anomalies surrounding the event. This led to a raid on Okoye’s residence, with authorities also searching the premises of Diego Giordano, a pizzeria owner with connections to Juventus players.
The Prosecutor’s Office in Udine is spearheading the inquiry, which may expand as investigators examine the scope of the suspected wrongdoing.
Consequences for Okoye
If found guilty, Okoye faces a potential five-year ban from football, a penalty that would deal a severe blow to his career. His legal team has categorically denied the allegations, describing them as baseless and urging the public to reserve judgment.
Squad Changes at Udinese
Udinese has replaced Okoye with newly signed Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik in their 25-man Serie A squad. The club has not clarified whether the decision is directly related to the betting investigation or Okoye’s season-ending wrist injury.
Head coach Kosta Runjaic addressed the situation, emphasizing the team’s focus despite the controversy:
“We haven’t talked about it. The atmosphere is still very good; the team spirit is there, and we’re working diligently.”
Okoye joined Udinese in 2023 from English side Watford and has made 37 appearances for the club. The ongoing investigation has cast a shadow over his future while drawing attention to betting practices in Italian football, highlighting concerns about the integrity of the game.
As the probe continues, Okoye’s career hangs in the balance, with the outcome likely to have significant implications for the player and the sport at large.
Comments