French football’s governing body, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), has raised serious concerns after detecting irregular betting patterns linked to a recent match involving OGC Nice and FC Metz. The developments emerged following a goalless draw on 17 May, a result that left Nice facing a relegation playoff against AS Saint-Étienne to secure their Ligue 1 status.

Investigations revealed an unusual spike in international sports betting on a specific event during that game: a yellow card issued to Elye Wahi. While the tackle from Sadibou Sané appeared legitimate upon review, the volume of wagers placed on Wahi’s caution sparked immediate scrutiny. The timing of these bets—prior to and during the match—prompted the LFP to act swiftly.

In response, the LFP forwarded its findings to three key authorities: the Service Central des Courses et Jeux of the National Police, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux, and the French Football Federation. On 29 May, a criminal complaint was filed for alleged sports corruption and organized fraud, opening a formal investigation. The LFP has since refrained from further public statements, adhering to legal confidentiality requirements while reserving the right to take disciplinary action pending the probe’s conclusions.

The case echoes a prior incident in English football, where Lucas Paquetá of West Ham United received a yellow card under questionable betting circumstances during a Premier League match. In that instance, the player faced only a formal reprimand from his federation. However, the current situation in France carries graver implications, with authorities probing potential links to money laundering and organized crime networks.

The player at the center of the controversy, Wahi, is understood to have been questioned by judicial authorities in Marseille before being released pending further inquiries. The investigation remains ongoing, with no indication yet that the playoff outcome between Nice and Saint-Étienne will be overturned.

LFP’s official statement

The Ligue de Football Professionnel emphasized its commitment to preserving the integrity of French football, stating:

Following the Nice vs. Metz fixture on 17 May, our partners monitoring sports betting markets flagged irregular betting activity centered on a disciplinary action involving Elye Wahi. In alignment with our duty to safeguard competition integrity, we promptly escalated these findings to law enforcement and regulatory bodies. A criminal complaint was lodged on 29 May to address potential breaches of sports corruption and organized fraud laws. While we refrain from further comment due to active proceedings, we retain full discretion to pursue disciplinary measures as the investigation unfolds. The LFP remains unwavering in its mission to combat any threat to the fairness of our competitions.

By Boureima Amadou — Reporter