Tremendous Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye may very well be in hassle in Italy as he’s at present underneath investigation for his alleged position in a betting scandal, Soccernet.ng studies.

Okoye has loved a gradual revival at Udinese since he joined the membership in 2023. The Tremendous Eagles star was anticipated to do massive issues when he left Sparta Rotterdam for Watford in 2022, however that turned out to be a foul transfer, as he barely kicked a ball for the membership.

Since becoming a member of Udinese two seasons in the past, he has change into an everyday, making 37 appearances throughout all competitions. Nonetheless, he has been out of motion for 5 weeks because of a wrist harm.

In the meantime, contemporary studies from Italy counsel Okoye may very well be in hassle, as he’s suspected of being a part of a betting scandal. In response to Foot Italia, the Nigerian goalie allegedly guess on himself to get a yellow card within the sixty fourth minute of Udinese’s sport towards Lazio in a Serie A sport on March 11, 2024. That yellow card was simply one of many three he has gotten since becoming a member of Udinese. The Tremendous Eagles star wasted time taking a aim kick when his workforce was nonetheless main 2-1, prompting the referee handy him the reserving.

Prosecutors are accusing Okoye of taking the reserving on objective after Sisal, an Italian betting firm, used its algorithm to detect an uncommon betting sample on that end result.

How massive is that this downside for Maduka Okoye?

This downside has come at a foul time for Okoye, who’s simply returning to his greatest after struggling to reside as much as his potential in earlier years. Italian soccer has all the time been rife with betting and match-fixing scandals. In 1980, Paolo Rossi was banned for 2 years after being discovered responsible of infringing on betting guidelines.

Simply two years in the past, Sandro Tonali was handed a ten-month ban after he was discovered responsible of breaching betting guidelines whereas in Italy. Nicolo Fagioli additionally acquired a seven-month ban for infringing on betting guidelines in Italy.

In 2006, Juventus, arguably the largest membership in Italy, have been relegated to Serie B alongside Fiorentina and Lazio after being discovered responsible of match-fixing in one of many largest scandals in soccer historical past. In that very same case, AC Milan have been additionally penalised with a 15-deduction.

Though that is the primary time that Okoye will likely be related to such a scandal, it’s clear that match-influencing practices have been a giant downside in Italy. The soccer authorities frown on it significantly, and as seen above, the culprits all the time get vital punishments. If the 25-year-old shot-stopper is discovered responsible, he may get a prolonged ban.

If he’s discovered responsible, how harsh may Okoye’s punishment be?

Investigations have already began for Okoye’s case, and the result may very well be out within the coming weeks. Article 24 of the Italian Code of Sports activities Justice states that “skilled footballers are prohibited from playing on official occasions organised by FIGC, UEFA and FIFA and ‘can’t place or obtain bets, instantly or not directly.”

If Okoye is discovered responsible, except for fines, his ban may vary between seven months and three years, relying on how effectively he could make a case for himself.

The previous Sparta Rotterdam man is anticipated to return to full health between March and April.