Nigeria international and Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-month ban for illegal betting activities in Italy.

Initial concerns pointed to the possibility of a much more severe penalty — a four-year suspension — if Okoye had been found guilty of sporting fraud. However, the Italian football authorities settled on a lesser conviction of illegal betting.

The 25-year-old shot-stopper was under investigation for allegedly engaging in suspicious conduct during Udinese’s Serie A match against Lazio on March 11, 2024. In that game, Okoye was booked for time-wasting in the 64th minute — a moment that drew scrutiny from betting watchdogs.

As a result of the ban, Okoye will miss a total of eight matches — including one Coppa Italia fixture and seven Serie A games. He will be eligible to return to action on October 19.

This development adds to the growing list of betting-related disciplinary actions in European football and raises fresh concerns about the integrity of players both on and off the pitch