Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, is at the center of a betting scandal being investigated by the Udine prosecutor’s office.
According to reports from the Italian newspaper Messagero Veneto, Okoye is under scrutiny for his involvement in “anomalous bets” placed on one of Udinese’s matches during the 2023/2024 Serie A season.
The controversy surrounds Udinese’s game against Lazio on March 11, 2024.
Betting company Snai flagged irregular betting patterns, with a suspiciously high number of wagers predicting Okoye would receive a yellow card.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper was subsequently booked in the 64th minute for time-wasting, just 19 minutes into the second half.
Udinese went on to win the game 2-1, but the unusual bets have raised concerns about potential foul play.
Another suspect in the case is Diego Giordano, a 40-year-old pizzeria owner in Udine.
Giordano is reportedly a familiar figure among Udinese players and staff.
Investigators are probing the relationship between Okoye and Giordano, looking into whether the duo conspired to influence the outcome of the bets.
Searches were conducted at locations frequented by both suspects, and authorities have reportedly accessed mobile phone communications to uncover any incriminating evidence.
If found guilty, Okoye faces severe sanctions ranging from a seven-month suspension to a four-year ban, depending on the gravity of his involvement.
The investigation, which became known to the suspects in December 2024, is expected to continue as prosecutors seek to establish the extent of the alleged fraud.
For now, both Okoye and Giordano have been formally charged with fraud.
As the case unfolds, Okoye’s role as a prominent member of the Super Eagles and his future with Udinese remain in jeopardy.
This scandal has cast a shadow over the goalkeeper’s career and could have far-reaching consequences for his standing in both club and international football.