World Cup: Ivory Coast striker is investigated on suspicion of manipulation

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi was arrested in France last month as part of an investigation into suspected match-fixing, according to The Athletic newspaper this Wednesday (17).

According to sources heard by the publication, the French authorities are investigating whether the player intentionally caused a yellow card during the match between Nice and Metz, in Ligue 1, on May 17th. Wahi, 23, was arrested on May 29 but has not yet been formally charged with any crime.

So-called spot-fixing involves the manipulation of specific events within a match, such as cards, corners or other events that can be the subject of betting.

The Marseille Public Prosecutor's Office confirmed the investigation in a statement sent to The Athletic.

"We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, who plays in the French Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille Public Prosecutor's Office on suspicion of organized fraud, sports corruption, concealment of criminal proceeds and money laundering," the agency said.

According to the note, the player was released after giving a statement, while investigations remain ongoing.

The yellow card under investigation was Wahi's fifth of the Ligue 1 season, resulting in a suspension for Nice's first relegation playoff game against Saint-Étienne on 26 May.

Nice drew goalless in the first leg, but Wahi scored two goals in the second leg, won 4-1, a result that guaranteed the team's stay in the French top flight.

For Ivory Coast, Wahi came on the field for 55 minutes in the 1-0 victory over Ecuador, on Sunday, in the opening game of Group E of the World Cup. The African team plays again on Saturday against Germany, in Toronto.

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Source: CNN