Ivory Coast striker Wahi barred from Canada as fraud probe deepens

Ely Wahi, a 23-year-old forward representing Ivory Coast at the World Cup, has been denied entry to Canada and will miss his team's match against Germany after being detained by French police in connection with an alleged betting manipulation scheme. The striker was arrested on May 29 as part of a broader fraud investigation into organized betting activities in French football.

French authorities suspect Wahi deliberately sought to receive a yellow card during a Ligue 1 encounter between Nice and Metz on May 17. Investigators examined betting patterns and wagers linked to the match, which is consistent with spot-fixing—the manipulation of specific in-game events rather than the overall result.

The Marseille prosecutor's office confirmed the footballer's involvement in the investigation this week. Canadian immigration authorities declined to issue Wahi a visa, preventing him from travelling with the Ivorian delegation to Toronto for Saturday's fixture.

The Ivorian Football Federation initially indicated the player would be unable to travel, later revised its statement to seek the necessary authorizations, but ultimately confirmed his exclusion from the squad. Wahi had featured in Ivory Coast's opening World Cup victory over Ecuador.

The situation mirrors a recent precedent in the same tournament. Ghana player Thomas Partey faced similar travel restrictions tied to separate criminal allegations in Britain.

For Nigerian followers of continental football, the case highlights how legal complications in European leagues can disrupt national team commitments during major tournaments, with consequences extending beyond club competitions.