The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) announced on Wednesday that it filed a complaint on May 29 regarding suspicions of match-fixing centered on a yellow card received by OGC Nice forward Elye Wahi during a recent Ligue 1 fixture against Metz.
Separately, the Marseille public prosecutor confirmed that a 23-year-old professional footballer, competing in France’s Ligue 1, was apprehended on May 29, 2026. This action was part of an ongoing investigation initiated by the specialized interregional jurisdiction concerning charges of organized fraud, sports corruption, concealment, and money laundering. This development corroborates earlier reporting.
Following his questioning under police custody, the player was subsequently released. The investigation into these allegations is actively continuing.
Complaint filed against unknown parties
“The day after the OGC Nice-FC Metz match, which was part of the 34th Ligue 1 matchday on May 17, the LFP was alerted by its specialized partners in sports betting market surveillance about unusual international betting patterns,” the LFP stated in a press release. “These alerts highlighted an atypical volume of wagers concerning a booking involving player Elye Wahi.”
After forwarding this critical information to the national police, the National Gaming Authority, and the French Football Federation, the LFP formally lodged a complaint against unknown parties on May 29. The complaint targets actions potentially constituting sports corruption and organized fraud.
A challenge after an earlier foul
During the aforementioned match, the 23-year-old striker, who is currently representing Côte d’Ivoire at the World Cup, received a yellow card in the 36th minute. This sanction was issued for a challenge on Metz defender Salidou Sané. It is notable that Wahi might have been cautioned earlier, in the 32nd minute, for a tackle from behind on Bouna Sarr.
This particular yellow card resulted in Wahi’s suspension for the first leg of the Ligue 1/Ligue 2 playoff, a crucial match where Nice ultimately secured their top-flight status against Saint-Étienne.
The LFP reiterated its unwavering commitment to upholding the integrity of its competitions. The organization emphasized that it will act with the utmost resolve against any conduct that threatens to compromise this integrity.
⚽️ Mondial 2026
