Ivory Coast striker, Elye Wahi, is under investigation over alleged match-fixing offences after being arrested just weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 23-year-old Nice forward was detained on May 29 as part of an ongoing probe into suspicious betting activity linked to a Ligue 1 fixture between Nice and Metz that ended goalless last month.
Despite the investigation, Wahi was not charged and subsequently travelled with the Ivory Coast squad to the World Cup in the United States.
He featured for 56 minutes in the Elephants’ 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Monday before being substituted.
Authorities are examining allegations that Wahi deliberately received a yellow card during the draw against Metz.
The booking came in the 35th minute after a foul on Sadibou Sane. Prior to the caution, the striker had already committed fouls in the 31st and 34th minutes.
According to reports, Wahi was arrested shortly after scoring twice in Nice’s 4-1 victory over Saint-Etienne, a result that helped the club secure its Ligue 1 status.
Confirming the development, a spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office told the Athletic, “We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office into allegations of organised fraud, organised sports corruption, handling of proceeds of crime and money laundering.
“He was released after he was interviewed in police custody. The investigations remain ongoing.
“The football player is not a member of the French selection taking part in the World Cup.”
The investigation was reportedly launched after Ligue 1 governing body, the LFP, received alerts regarding unusual betting patterns involving wagers on Wahi to be booked during the Metz encounter.
While the forward failed to find the net against Ecuador, he came close in the second half when one of his two attempts struck the woodwork.
Ivory Coast eventually secured victory thanks to a late goal from Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, who came off the bench to score the decisive winner.
The result leaves the African champions on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages, with a crucial Group E clash against Germany coming up this weekend.
