Italian Serie A side Udinese have yanked off Super Eagles goalkeeper Maduka Okoye from their registered players list following his ongoing investigation for alleged betting irregularities.
The 25-year-old had rubbished claim that he prearranged his yellow card for time-wasting during Udinese’s 2-1 win against Lazio on March 11, 2024 in illegal betting.
The issue becomes an object of investigation alongside other football related matters following a complaint by betting agency Sisal, whose algorithm detected unusual gambling activities linked to the goalkeeper’s yellow card.
In the course of the ongoing probe, investigators have raided the house of the Super Eagles goalkeeper who faces a potential five-year ban if found guilty.
Udinese have replaced Okoye with newly-signed goalkeeper Egil Selvik in their 25-man squad, though it remains unclear if the decision to leave him out of the register is not unconnected to the Nigerian’s season-ending wrist injury.