Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been handed a two-month suspension for illegal betting, following an investigation by Italian football authorities.
According to Italian news outlet, Football Italia, on Tuesday, the Nigerian international, who plays for Serie A side, Udinese, escaped a much harsher four-year ban for sporting fraud.
The controversy began on March 11, 2024, during a Serie A match between Udinese and Lazio.
Okoye was booked for time-wasting in the 64th minute with his team leading 2-1.
Authorities flagged a surge in suspicious bets predicting a yellow card for the goalkeeper, with most of the activity traced to the Udine region.
The bets, reportedly placed at 8/1 odds, are said to have generated over €120,000 in winnings.
Following this, Okoye and three acquaintances were placed under investigation, and the case was brought before the disciplinary commission in June 2025.
Though there were initial fears that the 25-year-old could be charged with sporting fraud and banned for four years, the disciplinary panel opted for a lesser conviction on the grounds of illegal betting.
The ban will take effect from August 18, 2025, when Udinese face Carrarese in the Coppa Italia, ruling Okoye out of six Serie A matches. He will be eligible to return on October 19.
Okoye, who has 18 caps for Nigeria, joined Udinese from English club Watford in 2023.
