Nigeria Players Abroad
Luigi Turci backs Maduka Okoye’s return to Udinese starting XI after betting ban
By Oluwadamilola Olaleye
Former Cremonese and Udinese goalkeeper Luigi Turci has voiced his full support for Nigeria international Maduka Okoye, backing the 24-year-old to reclaim his starting role at Udinese following the completion of his betting suspension.
In an exclusive interview with Tuttomercatoweb, Turci said Okoye’s return to the squad would significantly strengthen the team’s defensive setup as they aim to climb the Serie A table under new head coach Kosta Runjaic.
“I think we’ll see a new man—determined to regain his credibility within the team,” Turci said.
“He may lack match sharpness, but his enthusiasm and focus will compensate initially. I believe Runjaic will stick with him; he has always been the first choice, and Sava hasn’t really impressed.”
Okoye recently completed a two-month suspension imposed by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) for breaching betting regulations. The disciplinary action followed an investigation into unusual betting activity surrounding Udinese’s 2–1 win over Lazio on March 11, 2024.
Reports revealed that bets placed on Okoye receiving a yellow card during the match generated winnings exceeding €120,000. While allegations of sporting fraud were eventually dismissed, the goalkeeper was found guilty of violating Article 4 of the Italian sporting code, which governs player conduct.
The ban, effective from August 18 to October 18, 2025, saw Okoye miss multiple early-season fixtures for Udinese. His return is expected to provide a timely boost for Runjaic’s side as they look to stabilize their season.
Turci, who made over 200 Serie A appearances, believes Okoye remains the club’s most reliable option between the posts.
