Nigerian international and Udinese Calcio goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye, has been handed a two-month suspension following his involvement in a match-fixing and betting scandal in Italy.

The suspension, announced on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, came after an investigation by the Italian federal court found Okoye guilty of deliberately receiving a yellow card during a Serie A clash against Lazio on March 11, 2024. The booking, which occurred in the 64th minute for time-wasting, initially appeared routine. However, authorities launched an inquiry after noticing an unusual surge in bets specifically placed on Okoye to be booked during the match.

Further investigations revealed that a close associate of the goalkeeper, reportedly a pizzeria owner based in Udine, had placed a bet on the incident and won over €120,000. The federal prosecutor’s office alleged that Okoye was part of a deliberate scheme to manipulate a segment of the game for betting gains.

Prosecutors initially sought a much harsher punishment, with Okoye facing a potential four-year ban. However, the court ultimately imposed a two-month suspension, effective from the first official match of the 2025–2026 season. He will be eligible to return to the pitch on October 19, 2025.

The case has sparked renewed concern over integrity in football and the growing influence of illegal betting networks. Neither Okoye nor his club, Udinese Calcio, has issued an official statement in response to the ruling as of press time.