Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, who plays for Udinese, has been handed a two-month suspension by the Italian Football Federation.
Okoye had been under investigation in Italy for alleged betting violations.
The spotlight fell on the player particularly after intense betting activity in the city of Udine suggested he would receive a yellow card during a Serie A match against Lazio on March 11, 2024.
That season, the goalkeeper received only two yellow cards, and in that match, he was booked solely for time-wasting—raising further suspicions.
Following the investigation, it was determined that Okoye was not involved in betting or match-fixing. However, he was still handed a two-month ban for violating the principle of fair play.
Had he been found fully guilty, he could have faced a four-year ban from football—potentially ending his career.
Maduka Okoye’s suspension will take effect on August 18, when top-flight football resumes in Italy.