Suspicions of match fixing involving ivoire coast player in french league

The French football governing body, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), has lodged a formal complaint against an unknown party following suspicious betting patterns detected during a recent Ligue 1 encounter featuring Ivory Coast international Elye Wahi.

On May 29, a 23-year-old professional player was taken into custody in connection with an ongoing investigation by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office. The probe, launched under the jurisdiction of the interregional specialized court, focuses on organized fraud and sports corruption charges, including money laundering and complicity. The individual was later released after questioning but remains under scrutiny as inquiries continue.

Unusual betting activity triggers investigation

The LFP revealed that its partners monitoring global betting markets had flagged irregular betting activity shortly after the May 17 Ligue 1 fixture between OGC Nice and FC Metz. Analysts noted an abnormal surge in bets placed on Elye Wahi receiving a yellow card during the match. These findings prompted the LFP to file a complaint on May 29, accusing unspecified parties of potential sports corruption and organized fraud. The case has since been referred to national authorities, including the National Gaming Authority and the French Football Federation.

Key moments in the controversial match

During the game, Wahi, now representing the Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup, was shown a yellow card at the 36-minute mark for a studs-up challenge on FC Metz’s Salidou Sané. Earlier in the match, at the 32-minute mark, the player had narrowly avoided a second booking for a dangerous tackle from behind on Bouna Sarr. The yellow card ultimately resulted in Wahi’s suspension for the first leg of Nice’s relegation playoff against Saint-Étienne, a match the club won, securing their top-flight status.

The LFP has emphasized its commitment to preserving the integrity of French football, vowing to take decisive action against any actions that could undermine the fairness of its competitions.