Serie A club, Udinese, have dropped Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye from their registered squad while investigating him for allegedly betting on matches, MySportDab Reports.
The 25-year-old has been accused of suspicious betting patterns over a yellow card for time-wasting in the match between Udinese and Lazio on 11 March 2024, which Udinese won 2-1.
According to reports, the complaint was made by betting agency Sisal after its algorithm detected unusual gambling activity in relation to the incident.
Authorities raided Okoye’s home in connection with the allegations, while the Prosecutor’s Office in Udine also searched the premises of Diego Giordano, a pizzeria owner whose establishment is popular with Juventus players, as part of the wider investigation.
Should Okoye be found guilty, he will face a potential five-year ban from football.
In turn, Udinese have replaced Okoye with newly signed Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik in their 25-man Serie A squad. Yet the club have not made clear whether the decision is related to the allegations or Okoye’s recent season-ending wrist injury.
Udinese boss Kosta Runjaic reportedly played down the situation’s effect on team morale, saying, “We haven’t talked about it; we’re focused on Como. The atmosphere is still very good, the team spirit is there, and we’re working diligently.”
Okoye, signed by Udinese from Watford in 2023, has turned out 37 times for the club. His lawyers have come out to strongly deny these allegations, terming them baseless.
The case drags on, as does Okoye’s future at Udinese or in football, while the club remains focused on their Serie A season, with Runjaic calling for unity amid the controversy.
