The Udine Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, a 25-year-old German naturalized Nigerian, currently sidelined with a wrist injury.
The investigation, as reported by Messaggero Veneto, concerns an anomalous flow of bets linked to the Lazio-Udinese match played on March 11. Among those under investigation is also the owner of a pizzeria regularly frequented by footballers and managers of the Friulian club. Both are accused of fraud.
The investigation was launched following a report from Sisal, which found significant bets on Okoye's warning, which occurred in the 19th minute of the second half for time-wasting.
The episode, which occurred during the match that Udinese won 2-1, had caused concern in coach Gabriele Cioffi, who intervened immediately by sending an assistant to talk to the goalkeeper to avoid further sanctions.
On the sporting front, the consequences could be serious. If found guilty, Okoye risks a ban of up to four years from all competitions. The Friulian club, in the meantime, has moved on the market by signing the Norwegian goalkeeper Selvik, a free agent, to support the Romanian Sava.
Although the official reason was related to Okoye's injury, he was already registered as a suspect in mid-December, suggesting a preventive action by the club in view of possible judicial developments.
The investigation continues, and the case promises to have significant repercussions on both the criminal and sporting fronts.
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