Maduka Okoye, the goalie for Udinese, is under investigation by the Udine Public Prosecutor’s Office for allegedly engaging in unlawful betting activities.
The Nigerian international may be banned from all tournaments for at least four years if proven guilty.
La Gazzetta dello Sport claims that the betting company Sisal discovered odd betting trends regarding wagers on Okoye getting a yellow card at Udinese’s March 2024 away game against Lazio in Serie A.
The probe is now centred on the goalkeeper’s time-wasting in the 64th minute, for which he was in fact booked.
Diego Giordano, a 40-year-old Udine pizza owner, is also under investigation.
According to the Gazzetta, Giordano is thought to have been instrumental in planning the purported betting operation.
A few days prior to the Lazio-Udinese game, a verbal arrangement is said to have been formed at his establishment and subsequently carried out at a Sisal betting store in Udine.
Okoye’s defence team has vehemently denied any misconduct in response to the accusations.
“The accusations are baseless and lack substantial evidence,” they stated, emphasising their confidence in clearing the goalkeeper’s name.
Udinese has signed Norwegian custodian Egil Selvik as a precautionary replacement for Okoye, who is now out due to wrist surgery.
The inquiry is still underway, and if the accusations are validated, Okoye and Giordano might both face harsh repercussions.
