Ivory Coast Star Faces Investigation Over Alleged Match-Fixing Incident

Ivory Coast Star Faces Investigation Over Alleged Match-Fixing Incident

By BSN Sports 

Ivory Coast international Elye Wahi is the subject of an ongoing investigation by French authorities over allegations of match-fixing and sports corruption, according to reports in France and the United Kingdom, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The 23-year-old forward was reportedly arrested by French police in late May as part of an inquiry examining whether he deliberately received a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz on May 17.

According to a report by The Athletic, investigators are seeking to determine whether the booking was linked to potential betting-related irregularities. Wahi, who recently featured in Ivory Coast’s 1-0 victory over Ecuador, has not been charged with any offence.

A spokesperson for the Marseille Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player was taken into custody as part of an investigation involving allegations of organised fraud, organised sports corruption, handling proceeds of crime and money laundering.

“We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player competing in France’s Ligue 1 was arrested as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office,” the spokesperson said.

Authorities stated that the player was released after being interviewed by investigators and that inquiries remain ongoing.

“The investigations remain ongoing. The football player is not a member of the French national team taking part in the World Cup,” the spokesperson added.

Neither FIFA nor the Ivorian Football Federation had publicly commented on the matter at the time of reporting.

Wahi, regarded as one of Ivory Coast’s emerging attacking talents, remains under investigation, with French authorities yet to announce any formal charges. As the inquiry continues, officials have emphasised that the allegations remain subject to further examination and that no conclusions have been reached regarding the player’s involvement.