Serie A club Udinese has removed Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye from their registered squad following an investigation into alleged betting irregularities. The 25-year-old is under scrutiny for suspicious betting activities related to a yellow card he received during Udinese’s 2-1 victory over Lazio on March 11, 2024. Okoye was booked for time-wasting in the 90th minute, with Italian authorities alleging unusual gambling patterns surrounding the incident.
In response to the ongoing investigation, Okoye has been replaced in Udinese’s 25-man Serie A squad by newly signed goalkeeper Egil Selvik. However, the club has not confirmed whether this decision is due to the ongoing allegations or simply a result of Okoye’s injury.
If found guilty, Okoye could face severe penalties, including a ban of up to five years from all competitions.
This development has raised concerns about the integrity of football and the potential exploitation of players in betting scandals. FIFA and Udinese have been warned about the implications of such incidents on the sport’s credibility.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates are expected as authorities continue to examine the allegations against Okoye.
