World Cup star arrested days before tournament over fixing allegations – Report
By Ayobami Okerinde
Ivory Coast international, Elye Wahi, who is currently featuring at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, was arrested by French police less than two weeks before the tournament as part of an investigation into alleged spot-fixing offences, according to a report by The Athletic.
The 23-year-old 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 examining suspicious betting patterns linked to wagers placed on the striker receiving a booking during the match. The practice, known as spot-fixing, involves manipulating a specific event within a game for betting purposes.
A spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor’s office told The Athletic on Tuesday: “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.”
Confirming the story on Wednesday, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), the governing body that runs the domestic game in France, said it is investigating the story, although no prosecution has been made yet.
The statement reads, “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 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.”
Despite the ongoing investigation, Wahi was named in Ivory Coast’s final squad for the World Cup. He played 55 minutes in the Elephants 1-0 win over Ecuador on Monday.
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