Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi faces a match-fixing investigation just as the FIFA World Cup begins. French authorities arrested the striker on May 29 on suspicion of spot-fixing during a Ligue 1 match while playing for OGC Nice.
The allegation centers on a May 17 game against Metz. Prosecutors suspect Wahi intentionally received a yellow card in the 35th minute to satisfy specific betting markets. The Ligue de Football Professionnel flagged suspicious wagering patterns targeting that exact disciplinary outcome prior to the incident.
Wahi was released from police custody following questioning but remains under active investigation. No formal charges have been filed. Despite the legal scrutiny, he traveled to the United States and played in Ivory Coast’s opening World Cup victory over Ecuador in Philadelphia.
Spot-fixing involves manipulating discrete events within a contest rather than the final score. This practice allows gamblers with insider knowledge to exploit micro-betting markets. FIFA has not yet commented on potential disciplinary action regarding Wahi’s tournament eligibility.