Ligue 1 corruption probe surrounds Elye Wahi yellow card in Nice match
Ligue 1 corruption probe surrounds Elye Wahi yellow card in Nice match
The LFP issued a surprising statement on Wednesday evening, revealing that unusual betting activity related to Elye Wahi had been detected just one day after the OGC Nice versus FC Metz match on May 17, which was the 34th round of Ligue 1.
The match itself ended in a dull 0-0 draw, a result that forced Nice into a relegation playoff against AS Saint-Étienne to secure their top-flight status. That forgettable encounter now finds itself at the centre of a sports corruption investigation.
On Wednesday night, the LFP disclosed that international betting markets showed suspicious patterns linked to this fixture. A surge in wagers was tied to a yellow card received by Wahi on May 17. That booking also meant Wahi missed the first leg of the playoff between ASSE and Nice due to an accumulation of cards.
The LFP said it immediately reported the findings to relevant authorities: the Service Central des Courses et Jeux of the national police, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux, and the French Football Federation. To ensure full clarity, a complaint was filed on May 29, 2026, targeting possible organised sports corruption and fraud.
The league added it would offer no further comment at this stage and has not initiated disciplinary proceedings, but reserves the right to do so depending on the investigation’s progress.
A spokesperson for the Marseille prosecutor’s office confirmed: “We can confirm that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 footballer was arrested on May 29 as part of an inquiry into suspected organised fraud, organised sports corruption, concealment of proceeds from crime, and money laundering. He has been released after questioning. The investigation continues.”
It is suspected that Wahi deliberately earned the yellow card. Video footage shows a clear foul on Metz midfielder Sadibou Sané, though it does not appear obviously intentional. While speculation is likely to swirl, it seems improbable that AS Saint-Étienne’s season outcome will be affected. For context, a similar case in England involved West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá receiving a yellow card amid abnormal betting volumes; he eventually received only a reprimand from his federation.
Official LFP statement:
“On the day after the OGC Nice vs FC Metz match (34th round, May 17), the LFP was alerted by its specialised betting monitoring partners to unusual international activity. These alerts flagged an abnormal volume of bets on a booking involving player Elye Wahi.
In line with its commitment to competition integrity, the LFP immediately transmitted these elements to the competent authorities: the Service Central des Courses et Jeux of the national police, the Autorité Nationale des Jeux, and the French Football Federation.
To allow the full truth to emerge, a complaint was filed on May 29, 2026, for acts potentially constituting organised sports corruption and organised fraud.
At this stage, given the ongoing procedure and the confidentiality requirements set by police authorities, the LFP will not comment further and has not initiated disciplinary proceedings. It reserves the right to do so as the investigation develops.
The LFP reaffirms its full commitment to safeguarding competition integrity and will act with the utmost severity against any conduct that could compromise it.”