Days before flying to the World Cup with Côte d’Ivoire, striker Elye Wahi found himself in a police station as part of a French investigation into potential match manipulation in Ligue 1.

why was the ivorian player questioned?

Wahi, who spent the season with OGC Nice, was interviewed by French police just days before the 2026 World Cup in North America. The investigation centers on suspicious betting patterns linked to his performance in a key Ligue 1 match against Metz on May 17.

The probe was triggered after the French Professional Football League received multiple reports of irregular betting activity, specifically focusing on a potential attempt to manipulate the outcome of that game. Wahi, who received a yellow card in the 35th minute for a late tackle, was at the heart of the scrutiny.

Interestingly, he had committed a similar foul two minutes earlier—this time on Bouna Sarr—but went unpenalized. The yellow card he earned that day was his fifth of the season, resulting in a suspension for Nice’s relegation playoff first leg against Saint-Étienne.

from suspension to double goals

When Wahi returned for the second leg just three days later, he delivered a standout performance, scoring twice and earning man-of-the-match honors in a 4-1 victory that secured Nice’s Ligue 1 status. Yet, this triumphant return was followed by a dramatic turn of events: on May 29, he was taken in for questioning by French anti-corruption authorities.

what does the official statement say?

The Marseille prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrest in a statement, revealing that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player had been detained on suspicion of involvement in organized fraud, sports corruption, money laundering, and receiving stolen goods. While the prosecutor’s office did not name the player, it clarified that he was not part of the French national team participating in the World Cup.

According to reports, the player in question is Elye Wahi, a former French youth international who switched allegiances to Côte d’Ivoire ahead of the 2026 tournament. It was also confirmed that after being held and questioned, he was released without charge, and the investigation is ongoing.

Wahi has since traveled to North America to compete in the World Cup, making his debut for Côte d’Ivoire in Philadelphia against Ecuador. He started the match, combined well with teammate Yan Diomande—who was named man of the match—and nearly scored when he hit the crossbar. His side went on to win 1-0 thanks to a late goal by Amad Diallo in stoppage time.

what’s next for wahi and the investigation?

The French Football Federation and FIFA have not yet commented on whether they were aware of the investigation before Wahi’s first World Cup appearance. The player is scheduled to face Germany in Toronto for the second group-stage match. As the legal process unfolds, the football world will be closely watching to see if this case has any impact on his participation or career moving forward.