World Cup: Police Arrest Ivory Coast Player Wahi Over Alleged Match-fixing

Ivory Coast international, Elye Wahi, was arrested by French police less than two weeks before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as part of an investigation into alleged spot-fixing offences.

Naija News reports that the 23-year-old striker, who is currently representing Ivory Coast at the World Cup, is being investigated over allegations that he deliberately sought to receive a yellow card while playing for French club Nice in a Ligue 1 match against Metz on May 17.

According to the report, French authorities are probing suspicious betting patterns linked to wagers placed on Wahi being booked during the match.

Spot-fixing involves manipulating a specific incident within a game, such as a card, corner, penalty or substitution, usually for betting purposes.

A spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed to The Athletic on Tuesday that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player was arrested on May 29 as part of a wider investigation.

The spokesperson said the probe involves 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 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,” the spokesperson said.

“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 player was released after questioning, but investigations into the matter are continuing.

Confirming the development on Wednesday, the Ligue de Football Professionnel, which oversees professional football in France, said it was aware of the matter and was monitoring the investigation.

The LFP said no disciplinary proceedings had been opened against the player at this stage because of the ongoing police investigation and confidentiality requirements.

“At this stage, and in view of the ongoing proceedings and the associated confidentiality requirements imposed on it by the police authorities, the LFP will not make any further comment and has not initiated any disciplinary proceedings. It reserves the right, however, to do so depending on how the investigations progress,” the statement read.

The body added that it remained committed to protecting the integrity of French football.

“The LFP reiterates that it remains fully committed to safeguarding the integrity of its competitions and that it will take the strongest possible action against any behaviour likely to compromise it,” it added.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Wahi was included in Ivory Coast’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The striker featured for 55 minutes as the Elephants defeated Ecuador 1-0 on Monday.