Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi, under investigation for alleged betting-related offenses, has received authorization to enter Canada for his nation’s match against Germany, the Ivorian soccer federation said Thursday.
The federation earlier said the 23-year-old Wahi was not going to be able to travel to Canada, but it issued a statement Thursday stating the necessary authorizations had now been obtained.
Wahi started in Monday’s in Philadelphia. The Elephants play Germany on Saturday in Toronto in their second match of the tournament.
Taous Ait, a spokesperson for Canada鈥檚 immigration minister, declined to comment on the case, citing a need for authorization from the individual involved.
The French soccer league said Wednesday that an 鈥渦nusual amount of bets鈥� were placed internationally on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a game on May 17 while playing for Nice. The French league was alerted by partners monitoring betting markets about suspicious betting activity concerning Nice鈥檚 home game against Metz, which ended in a 0-0 draw and in which Wahi was .
The French league said it passed that information to police and gambling authorities, as well as the French soccer federation.
Asked whether Wahi was questioned by police, the Marseille prosecutor’s office told The Associated Press 鈥渁 23-year-old professional football player, competing in France鈥檚 Ligue 1 championship, was arrested on May 29, 2026, as part of their investigation.”
The office added 鈥渢he investigation concerns alleged offenses of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering.鈥� The player was questioned while in police custody and was released without being detained.
Wahi鈥檚 representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Ivorian soccer federation said it has not been officially notified 鈥渙f any judicial or administrative proceedings鈥� concerning Wahi. The soccer body said if 鈥渙ffers its full support to the player and reaffirms its confidence in him.鈥�
鈥淓lye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team,” it added.
Wahi joined Nice on loan from Eintracht Frankfurt in January and scored nine goals in 18 games in all competitions, helping the team reach the French Cup final.
The French league season ended May 17. Wahi scored twice less than two weeks later to help Nice stay in the top division, a 4-1 win over Saint-Etienne in the second leg of the promotion-relegation playoffs.
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