Ivory Coast player Elye Wahi arrested for fixing offenses before World Cup tournament

The Ivory Coast's quest for a World Cup got disconnected to a large commencement with a 1-0 triumph implicit Ecuador connected Sunday, but a caller ungraded involving 1 of its players whitethorn enactment a acheronian unreality implicit its full tourney run.

According to The Athletic, Ivory Coast guardant Elye Wahi was arrested connected suspicion of fixing offenses little than 2 weeks earlier the commencement of the tournament.

Elye Wahi of Cote d'Ivoire plays during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E lucifer against Ecuador astatine Philadelphia Stadium successful Philadelphia, Pa., connected June 14, 2026. (Joe Prior/Visionhaus)

The apprehension stems from an incidental during a May 17 lucifer successful the French Ligue 1, successful which Wahi, portion playing for his nine Nice, intentionally earned a yellowish paper against Metz.

Wahi was arrested connected May 29 by French police, specified hours aft scoring 2 goals successful a triumph implicit Saint-Étienne.

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According to a spokesperson for the Marseille nationalist prosecutor's office, Wahi was released from constabulary custody aft helium was interviewed by authorities.

While the probe is inactive ongoing, Wahi has traveled to the United States and adjacent played successful the Ivory Coast's triumph implicit Ecuador this past weekend.

The content is that Wahi participated successful a signifier called "spot-fixing," which is fundamentally manipulating events wrong a lucifer that gamblers with wrong cognition tin past stake on.

New York City FC guardant Jovan Mijatovic receives a yellowish paper from referee Keylor Herrera during the 2nd fractional against Queretaro FC astatine Yankee Stadium successful Bronx, N.Y., connected July 28, 2024. (Mark Smith/USA TODAY Sports)

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The Athletic says suspicions were raised erstwhile Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), the governing assemblage that runs the league successful France, were tipped disconnected astir fishy betting patterns successful Nice’s Ligue 1 fixture against Metz, involving wagers connected Wahi to person a yellowish card.

A yellowish paper was shown to Wahi successful the 35th infinitesimal of the lucifer against Metz, and helium was suspended connected yellowish paper accumulation for the pursuing match, the archetypal limb of a relegation playoff against Saint-Étienne, which Nice drew 0-0.

Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi and teammate Nicolas Pepe respond aft missing a accidental to people against Ecuador during a World Cup Group E shot lucifer successful Philadelphia connected June 14, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP)

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Wahi has not been charged with immoderate crimes arsenic the probe continues.

OutKick has reached retired to FIFA for remark connected the matter.