Nigeria international goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is facing the prospect of a lengthy ban from football following an investigation from the authority in Italy over his yellow card against Lazio in a league game, OwnGoalNigeria.com reports.
With Udinese leading 2-1, Okoye was issued a yellow card for time wasting in the 90th minute, which can be seen as normal, but betting patterns on the goalkeeper receiving a yellow has prompted investigators into sensing it as an anomaly.
According to Messaggero Veneto, the prosecutor office in Udine opened an investigation into the yellow card following reports of a series of bets for significant amounts linked to his yellow card during the match against Lazio played on 11 March 2024.
The house of the Nigerian goalkeeper was searched by investigators alongside that of another suspect, Diego Giordano, owner of a pizzeria frequented by Juventus footballers. Following a complaint by a betting agency Sisal, through an algorithm created to identify anomalies.
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The lawyers of the Nigerian dismissed the claims as baseless, but if he is indeed found guilty he could be set for a lengthy ban from football. He is currently out injured and not expected back till at least a month time.
Ade Emmanuel
