Ligue 1 international under suspicion for alleged match-fixing

Ivorian international forward Elye Wahi, a participant in the ongoing World Cup, is currently under scrutiny for allegedly receiving a yellow card intentionally. This suspicion arises amid unusual betting activity observed prior to the incident.

The Ligue de football professionnel (LFP) announced on Wednesday that it lodged a complaint against an unknown party on May 29, citing suspicions of match-fixing related to a yellow card issued to OGC Nice striker Elye Wahi during a Ligue 1 fixture against Metz on the final matchday of the season.

Separately, the Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed that a 23-year-old professional footballer playing in France’s Ligue 1 championship was apprehended on May 29, 2026. This action was part of an ongoing investigation initiated by the specialized interregional jurisdiction concerning charges of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, concealment, and money laundering. Following his interrogation during custody, the player was subsequently released, with investigations continuing.

In a statement, the LFP revealed that on May 18, the day after the OGC Nice-FC Metz encounter, its partners specializing in sports betting market surveillance flagged unusual international betting patterns. These alerts specifically highlighted an atypical volume of wagers placed on a caution involving player Elye Wahi.

After compiling these details and forwarding them to the national police, the Autorité nationale des jeux, and the Fédération française de football, the LFP proceeded to file its complaint against an unknown party on May 29. The complaint targets acts potentially constituting sports corruption and organized fraud.

During the match, the 23-year-old forward, who is currently representing Côte d’Ivoire at the World Cup, received a yellow card in the 36th minute for a challenge on Metz defender Salidou Sané. Wahi had already committed a tackle from behind on Bouna Sarr in the 32nd minute, an action for which he could have been cautioned earlier.

This booking resulted in Wahi’s suspension for the first leg of the Ligue 1/Ligue 2 playoff. OGC Nice ultimately prevailed in the playoff against Saint-Étienne, securing their place in the top flight.

The LFP reiterated its unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity of its competitions and stated that it would act with the utmost resolve against any conduct that threatens to compromise it.