Ivorian World Cup player briefly arrested in France on suspicion of match-fixing
Ivorian footballer Elye Wahi was held in custody in France on suspicion of match-fixing and organised sports corruption.
Ivorian World Cup player briefly arrested in France on suspicion of match-fixing
International Ivorian footballer Elye Wahi, aged 23, was provisionally held in custody in France approximately two weeks before the start of the World Cup. This is reported by sports media outlet The Athletic, citing sources close to the investigation.
According to the same source, the intervention took place whilst the player is currently on loan at OGC Nice from Eintracht Frankfurt. The suspected facts date back to 17 May, during a Ligue 1 match between Nice and FC Metz. During this match, the player received a yellow card. The professional football league union (LFP) had detected suspicious betting linked to this refereeing decision. Bettors had reportedly wagered on Wahi receiving a caution.
A spokesman for the Marseille prosecutor's office confirmed the temporary arrest of a 23-year-old player competing in the French top flight. The judicial authority did not, however, disclose the identity of the person in question. The prosecutor's office stated that an investigation had been opened for "suspicion of organised fraud, organised sports corruption, receiving stolen goods and money laundering". The player was released after his custody hearing. At this stage, no formal charge has been brought and the investigation is continuing. The presumption of innocence fully applies to the individual in question.
Wahi is part of the Ivorian squad currently competing in the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. His team faces Germany in the group stage. According to The Athletic, another participant in this global competition is also under investigation for similar suspicions of match manipulation. The identity of this second player has not been revealed.
Source: Bild
Source: BILD