Ivory Coast’s Elye Wahi under investigation over alleged betting irregularities

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi is under investigation by French authorities over allegations of sports corruption and spot-fixing, according to reports by The Athletic.

The 23-year-old forward was arrested by French police on May 29 as part of an ongoing probe into suspicious betting activity linked to a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz on May 17. Investigators are seeking to determine whether Wahi deliberately received a yellow card during the encounter.

Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that concerns were raised after French football authorities received reports of unusual betting patterns involving wagers on Wahi being booked during the match. The striker was cautioned in the 35th minute following a late challenge on Metz defender Sadibou Sane.

A spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 footballer was arrested in connection with an investigation into allegations of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling criminal proceeds, and money laundering.

“He was released after being interviewed in police custody. Investigations remain ongoing,” the spokesperson said, adding that the player is not part of the French national team participating in the World Cup.

Wahi has not been charged with any offence.

Despite the investigation, the forward travelled to North America with the Ivory Coast squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He featured in the Elephants’ opening Group E victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia on Sunday, striking the crossbar before being substituted in the second half.

The former France youth international switched his allegiance to Ivory Coast earlier this year and was named in the country’s World Cup squad on May 15, just days before the match at the centre of the investigation.

The yellow card against Metz proved significant as it triggered a suspension for the first leg of Nice’s relegation play-off against Saint-Etienne. Wahi returned for the second leg three days later and delivered a standout performance, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory that secured Nice’s Ligue 1 status.

French anti-corruption investigators subsequently questioned the striker, but no formal charges have been brought as inquiries continue.

The Athletic reported earlier this month that two players expected to participate in the World Cup had been reported for suspected fixing-related offences, with Wahi identified as one of the individuals referred to the French Football Federation.

FIFA has yet to comment on whether it was informed of Wahi’s arrest before his appearance against Ecuador or whether the investigation could affect his eligibility to continue playing in the tournament.

Ivory Coast are scheduled to face Group E leaders Germany in Toronto on Saturday as they seek to build on their winning start to the competition.

Wahi, who was born near Paris in 2003, began his professional career with Montpellier before spells at Lens, Marseille, Eintracht Frankfurt and Nice. Following a difficult first half of the season in Germany, he joined Nice on loan in January and helped the club avoid relegation with five league goals in 14 appearances.