Super Eagles and Udinese goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-month suspension by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for a breach of fair play regulations.
Although there were initial suspicions of match-fixing and gambling rule violations, the 25-year-old was cleared of any wrongdoing in that regard.
The incident reportedly took place during Udinese’s 2-1 win over Lazio in March 2024, where Okoye received a yellow card for time wasting.
That caution became the subject of scrutiny after a number of bets placed specifically on the booking were flagged as suspicious.
Following an investigation, the FIGC disciplinary panel found irregularities but concluded that Okoye was not directly involved in any betting activity or match-fixing.
Instead, his punishment was based solely on a violation of fair play standards.
Okoye, who became Udinese’s first-choice goalkeeper after his move from Watford in 2023, has earned 15 caps for the Super Eagles.
He has yet to release an official statement in response to the ban.