Ivorian striker in Ligue 1 match-fixing scandal

French football is under scrutiny after allegations emerged that an Ivory Coast international playing in Ligue 1 deliberately earned a yellow card in a recent match. The incident has triggered a formal investigation into potential match manipulation involving the OGC Nice attacker, Elye Wahi, during Nice’s final game of the season against FC Metz.

Professional football player questioned in betting scandal

French prosecutors confirmed that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player was detained on May 29, 2026, as part of a probe into organized betting fraud and sports corruption. The investigation, led by the interregional specialized jurisdiction, covers charges including organized fraud, sports corruption, handling stolen goods, and money laundering. After questioning, the player was released pending further inquiries.

Suspicious betting patterns detected

The French Professional Football League (LFP) filed a complaint against an unknown party on May 29 after detecting irregular betting patterns on an anticipated yellow card for Wahi during the May 17 match. Authorities were alerted by specialized betting monitoring partners who noticed an unusual volume of wagers placed internationally on the Ivory Coast striker receiving a caution.

Following the alert, the LFP forwarded the findings to national police, the National Gaming Authority, and the French Football Federation. The complaint alleges potential involvement in sports corruption and organized fraud, reinforcing the league’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of its competitions.

Key moments in the controversial match

Wahi, who is currently representing the Ivory Coast at the 2026 World Cup, received a yellow card in the 36th minute for a studs-up tackle on FC Metz defender Salidou Sané. The decision came despite a potential foul by Wahi on Bouna Sarr just four minutes earlier, which could have warranted an earlier booking.

The yellow card resulted in Wahi’s suspension for the first leg of the Ligue 1/Ligue 2 playoff against AS Saint-Étienne, a match Nice won to secure their top-flight status.

The LFP emphasized its zero-tolerance policy toward any actions that could jeopardize the fairness of its competitions, vowing to take decisive action against such misconduct.