Italian Serie A club Udinese have removed Super Eagles goalkeeper, Maduka Okoye from their registered players list amid ongoing investigations into alleged betting irregularities.
Maduka Okoye, who is under scrutiny for suspicious betting patterns related to a yellow card received during a match, faces possible repercussions if found guilty.
Investigators, acting on a complaint from betting agency Sisal, conducted searches at Okoye’s home and also at the premises of a local pizzeria frequented by Juventus players.
Although Udinese has brought in newly-signed goalkeeper Egil Selvik to fill Okoye’s spot in the squad, it remains uncertain whether this move is connected to the allegations or Okoye’s season-ending wrist injury.
Despite the surrounding controversy, coach Kosta Runjaic has maintained that the team’s atmosphere remains positive.
Meanwhile, Andre Harriman-Annous was among three young players of Nigerian descent who trained with Arsenal’s first team before their UEFA Champions League fixture against Dinamo Zagreb.
Manager Mikel Arteta observed Under-18 striker Harriman-Annous and development squad forward Nathan Butler-Oyedeji during the training session at Sobha Realty Training Centre in Shenley.
Ethan Nwaneri, an attacking midfielder who recently recovered from a muscle injury that sidelined him for four matches, also participated and is expected to be included in the matchday squad.
All three players, who have shown potential and promise, are registered on Arsenal’s B list for the Champions League as they were born after January 1, 2003.
Nwaneri has already made appearances in three Champions League matches this season, while Butler-Oyedeji was part of the squad for the initial four games, with Harriman-Annous still awaiting his first call-up to the senior team.