Italian authorities have launched a criminal investigation into Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye following suspicious betting patterns linked to a yellow card he received during a Serie A match against Lazio on March 11. The 25-year-old was booked for time-wasting in the 64th minute, shortly after Udinese secured a second goal in their 2-1 victory at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
The Udine Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating whether Okoye intentionally sought the booking. Italian daily Messaggero Veneto first broke the story, revealing that the investigation has also implicated local pizzeria owner Diego Giordano, entrepreneur Mario Bordon, and the manager of a nearby Snai betting outlet.
Betting Anomalies Spark Inquiry
Snai, a leading Italian betting operator recently acquired by Flutter Entertainment, reported irregular betting activity that flagged the incident to authorities. Subsequent searches led to the seizure of phones from all suspects, with investigators reportedly searching for evidence such as betting receipts.
The suspects, including Okoye, are facing potential fraud charges. If found guilty, Okoye could be banned from professional soccer for four years.
Incident Raises Concerns
Okoye’s actions during the match prompted concern from Udinese coach Gabriele Cioffi, who dispatched an assistant to calm the goalkeeper following the booking. Despite the controversy, Okoye made crucial saves later in the game, securing the win for his team.
The German-born player of Nigerian descent previously played for Watford and represents Nigeria internationally. He is currently sidelined with a wrist injury that required surgery, leading Udinese to sign Norwegian international Egil Selvik as cover during the transfer window.
Spot-Fixing in Soccer: A Growing Problem?
The investigation into Okoye is the latest in a series of high-profile spot-fixing allegations in soccer.
Last week, Spanish authorities detained Sevilla defender Kike Salas amid allegations that two of his acquaintances placed approximately 30 successful bets on him receiving yellow cards during the 2023/24 La Liga season, in which he led the league in bookings.
In England, West Ham and Brazil midfielder Lucas Paquetá faces unprecedented charges from the Football Association (FA) for allegedly seeking to manipulate betting markets by intentionally receiving yellow cards. If found guilty, the 27-year-old could face severe career repercussions.
These cases highlight growing concerns about spot-fixing in professional soccer, raising questions about the integrity of the sport in the face of gambling-related scandals.
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