The fate of Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is in the balance, as preliminary investigations into his alleged involvement in match-fixing have been concluded.
The Nigeria international has been under the microscope since it was revealed, through irregular betting patterns, that he may have knowingly manipulated outcomes by getting yellow carded for timewasting in Udinese’s match against Lazio on March 11, 2024.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the findings of the Udine Public Prosecutor’s Office, which are believed to have established a link between Okoye and one of the bettors, have been communicated to all involved parties.
What sanctions could Maduka Okoye face if found guilty?
It is now up to the Federal Prosecutor to determine whether this constitutes a breach of Italy’s sporting codes.
If it is determined that Okoye did, the 25-year-old could be hit with as much as a four-year ban from football that, if precedent is anything to go by, would apply worldwide. This would rule him out of the 2025, 2027 and (depending on timing) 2029 Africa Cups of Nations (AFCON) tournaments.
The former Watford man has, over the last two seasons, established himself as Udinese’s first-choice between the sticks, and has earned 18 international caps for Nigeria.
