The Public Prosecutor’s Workplace in Udine has began an investigation into Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye over accusations of unlawful betting.
If discovered responsible, the Nigerian participant may face at the very least a four-year ban from all soccer competitions.
Based on La Gazzetta dello Sport, betting company Sisal seen uncommon playing patterns linked to bets positioned on Okoye getting a yellow card throughout Udinese’s Serie A match in opposition to Lazio in March 2024.
Okoye was certainly booked for time-wasting within the sixty fourth minute, and this has grow to be the main focus of the investigation.
The investigation has additionally concerned Diego Giordano, a 40-year-old pizzeria proprietor in Udine. It’s reported that Giordano could have performed a key function in organising the alleged betting scheme.
It’s stated {that a} verbal Contract was made at his pizzeria, which was then acted upon at a Sisal betting store in Udine, simply days earlier than the Lazio-Udinese match.
Okoye’s authorized crew has strongly denied the accusations, calling them baseless and missing in proof. They expressed confidence that Okoye could be cleared of any wrongdoing.
At present recovering from wrist surgical procedure, Okoye’s absence has led Udinese to signal Norwegian goalkeeper Egil Selvik as a precaution.
The investigation remains to be ongoing, and each Okoye and Giordano may face severe penalties if the allegations are confirmed.