Cote d'Ivoire's World Cup campaign has been overshadowed by controversy after star striker Elye Wahi was arrested in France on suspicion of match-fixing, according to reports.
Arrest Details
French police arrested Wahi, 23, on May 29, shortly after he scored two goals for Nice in a win over Saint-Etienne. The arrest was part of an investigation into allegations that he deliberately earned a yellow card in Nice's match against Metz on May 17.
A spokesperson for the Marseille public prosecutor's office confirmed to The Athletic that the player was arrested on suspicion of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling of proceeds of crime, and money laundering.
World Cup Participation
Despite the arrest, Wahi traveled with the Ivorian national team to the United States for the World Cup. He started in Cote d'Ivoire's 1-0 victory over Ecuador on Sunday, hitting the crossbar in the second half.
The Elephants are preparing for their second group match against Germany, but the off-field distraction threatens to disrupt their momentum.
Player Profile
Wahi scored nine goals in 19 appearances for Nice this season, helping the club avoid relegation from Ligue 1. His performances earned him a spot in Cote d'Ivoire's World Cup squad.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released regarding the match-fixing allegations.
