Orji Okonkwo Set To Appeal FIFA Ban

Nigerian striker Orji Okonkwo has been suspended from soccer for 4 years after being discovered responsible of a doping violation, in accordance with Fifa.

The 24-year-old, who performs for Serie A aspect Bologna, was initially handed the ban by the nationwide anti-doping company (Nado Italia) in June.

In February, Okonkwo – who is ready to attraction – had examined constructive for the steroid clostebol throughout a mortgage spell at Cittadella.

Clostebol, which the participant mentioned he used to deal with a problematic knee, is on the World Anti-Doping Code prohibited record.

Fifa’s disciplinary committee has now prolonged the Nado Italia sanctions to have “worldwide impact”, in accordance with its chairperson Jorge Ivan Palacio.

“Consequently, the Committee determined to increase the sanction imposed on the participant by the Italian Nado on 20 June 2022,” learn a Fifa assertion.

“Extra particularly, the participant is sanctioned with a 4 years suspension from all football-related actions in accordance with the choice.”

His ban has been backdated to 25 February and he will probably be free to play once more on 24 February 2026.

BBC Sport Africa has been knowledgeable by the participant’s representatives that he’ll attraction in opposition to the choice on the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).

Okonkwo joined Bologna primarily based in northern Italy in August 2016, a yr after he helped Nigeria, alongside Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze of Villarreal, win the 2015 Beneath-17 World Cup.

He has made 30 appearances, scoring three objectives in 27 Serie A matches, for the aspect, together with 4 begins.

Okonkwo had two notable mortgage spells at Main League Soccer aspect Montreal Affect and likewise hung out on mortgage at Italian second tier golf equipment Brescia, Reggina and Cittadella.

At worldwide stage, Okwonkwo began three video games for Nigeria on the 2019 Africa Beneath-23 Cup of Nations, scoring a objective in opposition to Zambia.

He starred because the West African nation clinched a fifth U-17 world title in Chile seven years in the past, showing in 5 video games in the course of the match and scoring within the 4-2 semi-final win over Mexico.

-BBC