By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Udinese goalkeeper Maduka Okoye has been handed a two-month ban for illegal betting in Italy.
It was feared Okoye would be suspended for four years if found guilty of sporting fraud.
The authorities, however, opted to convict the Nigeria international for a lesser charge of illegal betting.
Okoye was alleged to have been deliberately booked in Udinese’s Serie A clash with Lazio on March 11, 2024.
The 25-year-old received a yellow card for time-wasting in the 64th minute of the encounter.
Okoye will miss one Coppa Italia and seven Serie A games.
He will only be available for selection again on October 19.