Elye Wahi, the Ivory Coast international forward, was taken into custody by French police just days before joining his national team for the World Cup. The 23-year-old was questioned in connection with an investigation into possible match manipulation in Ligue 1.

The inquiry focuses on a yellow card Wahi received during a match between his former club OGC Nice and Metz on 17 May. That game ended 0-0, but the caution at the 35th minute drew attention from anti-corruption authorities after unusual betting patterns were flagged.

Wahi was booked for a late tackle on Metz defender Sadibou Sané. Two minutes earlier, he had committed a similar foul on Bouna Sarr without punishment. That yellow card was his fifth of the season, which triggered an automatic suspension for the first leg of the relegation playoff against Saint-Étienne, a match that also finished 0-0 away.

Three days later, Wahi returned to the starting lineup for the second leg and delivered a standout performance, scoring twice in a 4-1 victory that secured Nice’s top-flight survival. It was immediately after that match, on 29 May, that police anti-corruption specialists arrested him.

The Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrest of a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player, though without naming him. The statement detailed an investigation into suspected organised fraud, sports corruption, concealment and money laundering. The prosecutor added that the footballer was not part of the French squad at the World Cup, which matches Wahi’s profile as an Ivory Coast international.

Wahi was released after questioning and remains free as the investigation continues. He has not been charged at this stage and was able to travel to the World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

On Sunday, Wahi started for the Elephants against Ecuador in Philadelphia. He combined well with Yan Diomande, struck the crossbar, and saw substitute Amad Diallo score a 90th-minute winner to give Ivory Coast a 1-0 victory.

FIFA has not commented on whether it was aware of the arrest before the match, nor on any potential impact on Wahi’s eligibility to play or travel. The striker is now preparing to face Germany in Toronto on Saturday in the second group stage match.