Cote d’Ivoire striker Elye Wahi is at the centre of a corruption investigation after reports claimed he was arrested by French authorities less than two weeks before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to an investigation by The Athletic, the 23-year-old forward was detained by French police on May 29 as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged spot-fixing linked to a Ligue 1 match involving his club, Nice.
Investigators are trying to find out whether Wahi deliberately received a yellow card during Nice’s league match against Metz on May 17.
Reports say unusual betting activity involving wagers on Wahi to receive a booking attracted the attention of French football authorities. Several thousand euros were reportedly bet across different countries.
The Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player was arrested as part of an investigation into alleged organised fraud, organised sports corruption, handling criminal proceeds and money laundering.
However, the player was later released after questioning and has not been charged with any offence.
French authorities said the investigation is still ongoing.
Despite the investigation, Wahi travelled to North America with the Cote d’Ivoire squad and started in Sunday’s Group E World Cup match against Ecuador in Philadelphia.
The striker impressed during the game, hitting the crossbar before being substituted in the second half as the Elephants secured a dramatic 1-0 win thanks to a late goal from Amad Diallo.
The alleged incident relates to Nice’s match against Metz, where Wahi received a yellow card in the 35th minute after a late challenge on defender Sadibou Sane.
The booking meant the striker reached the suspension limit and was forced to miss the first leg of Nice’s relegation play-off against Saint-Etienne.
He returned for the second leg three days later and produced a match-winning display, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory that helped Nice stay in Ligue 1.
Wahi was named Man of the Match before being arrested later that same day by anti-corruption investigators.
The former France youth international switched his international allegiance to Cote d’Ivoire earlier this year and was included in the country’s World Cup squad in May.
Neither FIFA nor the Cote d’Ivoire Football Federation has publicly commented on the investigation. It is still unclear whether the case will affect Wahi’s participation in the tournament.
Cote d’Ivoire are due to face Germany in Toronto on Saturday as they continue their World Cup campaign, and Wahi is expected to remain available for selection unless further action is taken by authorities.
Share this:
