Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye accused of fraud in betting scandal
Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has reportedly been implicated in an illegal betting scandal, with investigators alleging that he deliberately influenced a match outcome for financial gain.
According to a report by Ansa, Okoye is one of four individuals identified in a preliminary investigation by Italian authorities, which concluded that the 24-year-old intentionally received a yellow card for time-wasting during the 63rd minute of a Serie A fixture between Lazio and Udinese in March 2024.
Authorities claim that the booking was tied to a coordinated betting operation concentrated in the Udine region, generating illicit winnings amounting to €120,000.
Okoye had just returned to action in March after a period away, reportedly while the probe was ongoing.
The Italian Prosecution Office has indicated that a final report is imminent. Upon its release, formal charges are expected to be filed against the Nigeria international.
This development casts a shadow over Okoye’s recent resurgence with both club and country, particularly following his standout performance in a recent friendly against Russia.
