Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye could be in trouble in Italy as he is currently under investigation for his alleged role in a betting scandal, Soccernet.ng reports.
Okoye has enjoyed a steady revival at Udinese since he joined the club in 2023. The Super Eagles star was expected to do big things when he left Sparta Rotterdam for Watford in 2022, but that turned out to be a bad move, as he barely kicked a ball for the club.
Since joining Udinese two seasons ago, he has become a regular, making 37 appearances across all competitions. However, he has been out of action for five weeks due to a wrist injury.
Meanwhile, fresh reports from Italy suggest Okoye could be in trouble, as he is suspected of being part of a betting scandal. According to Foot Italia, the Nigerian goalie allegedly bet on himself to get a yellow card in the 64th minute of Udinese's game against Lazio in a Serie A game on March 11, 2024. That yellow card was just one of the three he has gotten since joining Udinese. The Super Eagles star wasted time taking a goal kick when his team was still leading 2-1, prompting the referee to hand him the booking.
Prosecutors are accusing Okoye of taking the booking on purpose after Sisal, an Italian betting company, used its algorithm to detect an unusual betting pattern on that outcome.
How big is this problem for Maduka Okoye?
This problem has come at a bad time for Okoye, who is just returning to his best after struggling to live up to his potential in previous years. Italian football has always been rife with betting and match-fixing scandals. In 1980, Paolo Rossi was banned for two years after being found guilty of infringing on betting rules.
Just two years ago, Sandro Tonali was handed a ten-month ban after he was found guilty of breaching betting rules while in Italy. Nicolo Fagioli also received a seven-month ban for infringing on betting rules in Italy.
In 2006, Juventus, arguably the biggest club in Italy, were relegated to Serie B alongside Fiorentina and Lazio after being found guilty of match-fixing in one of the largest scandals in football history. In that same case, AC Milan were also penalised with a 15-deduction.
Although this is the first time that Okoye will be associated with such a scandal, it is clear that match-influencing practices have been a big problem in Italy. The football authorities frown on it seriously, and as seen above, the culprits always get significant punishments. If the 25-year-old shot-stopper is found guilty, he could get a lengthy ban.
If he is found guilty, how harsh could Okoye's punishment be?
Investigations have already started for Okoye's case, and the outcome could be out in the coming weeks. Article 24 of the Italian Code of Sports Justice states that “professional footballers are prohibited from gambling on official events organised by FIGC, UEFA and FIFA and ‘can't place or receive bets, directly or indirectly.”
If Okoye is found guilty, aside from fines, his ban could range between seven months and three years, depending on how well he can make a case for himself.
The former Sparta Rotterdam man is expected to return to full fitness between March and April.
