Ivory Coast midfielder Eli Wahi under investigation in France over alleged betting scheme

SALADIN, Iraq — Ivory Coast international Eli Wahi is under investigation in France for alleged involvement in an illegal betting network, French newspaper L'Equipe reported. The 23-year-old, who plays as a midfielder for Ligue 1 club Nice, is accused of deliberately receiving a yellow card during a match against Metz last May as part of the scheme. According to the report, Wahi was detained by police in Marseille days before traveling to the United States and was held before being released on May 29. Investigators said he could face arrest upon returning to France. The development comes as Ivory Coast opened its 2026 World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Ecuador, earning its first three points in the group stage. The Ivory Coast Football Federation has not commented on the case. No further details on the investigation were immediately available.