Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been excluded from Udinese’s 25-man squad following accusations of irregular betting activity linked to a Serie A fixture against Lazio in March.
Okoye, 25, is alleged to have placed bets on receiving a yellow card, which he was issued in the 64th minute of the match for time-wasting.
The claims have prompted a formal investigation, with reports suggesting authorities have already searched the player’s residence after a complaint was filed by the Sisal betting agency.
If found guilty of breaching betting regulations, Okoye could face a ban of up to five years, a severe blow to his career.
The accusations add further pressure to the Nigerian international, who is currently sidelined with a wrist injury.
As a result of the ongoing investigation and his injury, Udinese have opted to replace Okoye in their registered squad with Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
The club has not issued a detailed statement but is believed to be cooperating fully with the investigation.
This development places Okoye in a precarious position, as a potential ban would not only hinder his contributions to Udinese but also impact his availability for Nigeria’s national team.
The betting allegations mark a challenging chapter for the goalkeeper, who joined Udinese in 2023 with hopes of making a significant impact in Serie A.
As the investigation unfolds, the football world will closely monitor the outcome, which could set a precedent for handling similar cases in the future.
