Former Nigerian U-17 player Orji Okonkwo will serve a four year worldwide dope ban, which was handed down by world soccer governing body FIFA.
Orji, 24, last February tested for clostebol, a steroid on the prohibited list of the World Anti-Doping Agency. He was suspended in June by the Italian Anti-Doping agency, but now FIFA has extended the ban worldwide. It therefore means Orji’s career would be on hold till 2026, if the appeal he has filed fails to hold water. The ban was backdated to February 25.
“Fifa’s disciplinary committee has now extended the Nado Italia sanctions to have worldwide effect
“Consequently, the Committee decided to extend the sanction imposed on the player by the Italian Nado on 20 June 2022,” Jorge Ivan Palacio FIFA disciplinary committee chairperson said in a statement.
“More specifically, the player is sanctioned with a four (4) years suspension from all football-related activities in accordance with the Decision.”
Orji who plays for Italian Serie A Bologna was in the set of Golden Eaglets with Samuel Chukwueze and Victor Osimhen.
