The goalkeeper replaced by Răzvan Sava, saved by Udinese! » Who pays damages for the withdrawal of the criminal complaint
Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Monday, December 22, 2025 21:57 / Updated Monday, December 22, 2025 22:04
Madueke Okoye (26), the Udinese goalkeeper, has avoided possible criminal consequences after it was found that he deliberately picked up a yellow card in a match last spring, bringing winnings on bets for the Nigerian's accomplices. The Friulian club decided to pay a (confidential) amount to Snaitech to drop the court action.
Two good news for Maduka Okoye and one bad news for Răzvan Sava. On the day he found out that he only received a one-stage suspension, following the very quick elimination (minute 3) suffered in yesterday's match with Fiorentina (1-5), the holder of the Friulian gate also escaped the nightmare that had been following him for more than a year and nine months.
Udinese paid damages to protect its image
The Nigerian goalkeeper came out, definitively and without any criminal consequences, from the process in which he was involved together with the Snaitech betting house.
The case, starting from one Suspicious yellow card received during the match against Lazio on 11 March 2024was settled by a handshake between the parties.
The match with Lazio (2-1) 15 months ago in which Maduka Okoye (Udinese) forced the yellow card in the 63rd minute / Photo: Imago
According to “Il Messaggero Veneto”, Snaitech has agreed to withdraw its complaint against the one who keeps Răzvan Sava on the reserve bench.
What did the club's intervention mean? Compensation for image protection. Udinese decided to fully cover the financial damages requested by Snaitech (the amount remains confidential).
Udinese's lawyer: “An agreement was reached that led to the dismissal of the lawsuit without an admission of liability”
“This strategic decision aims to protect the image of the club and, above all, to ensure the peace of mind of its playeravoiding distractions and additional pressure from the media at a delicate stage of his career,” wrote the Sportmediaset agency.
Maduka Okoye and Răzvan Sava will once again fight for the goalkeeper position at Udinese. Photo: Imago
The lawyer who represented Udinese said of the closure of the case: “No admission of guilt, only cessation of risk.”
Maurizio Miculan stressed that the action does not amount to an admission of liability. “An agreement was reached that led to the dismissal of the lawsuit, without any admission of liability.
The goal was to eliminate the costs and uncertainties that come with any trial, ending media exposure that no one thought was necessary.”
