SPORTFIFA extends worldwide four-year ban on ex-Golden Eaglets star, OkwonkwoPublished on September 17, 2022By Mike Oyebola

The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has extended worldwide the four-year ban on former Nigeria youth international, Orji Okwonkwo, for doping violations.

Okwonkwo was previously banned for four years by the Italian National Anti-Doping Tribunal.

Chairperson of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, Jorge Ivan Palacio, stated that the decision complies with the regulations of FIFA and extending the sanctions does not conflict with public order or with accepted standards of behaviour.

“Consequently, the Committee decided to extend the sanction imposed on the player by the Italian NADO on 20 June 2022. More specifically, the player is sanctioned with a four (4) years suspension from all football-related activities in accordance with the Decision,” he said.

Okwonkwo’s ban will run from February 25, 2022, to February 24, 2026.

The 24-year-old was part of Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets squad that won the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Chile.

The striker joined Italian club, Bologna in 2016.

He has been loaned out to Brescia, Montreal Impact, Reginna, and Cittadella.