Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has been cleared to enter Canada and join his national team at the World Cup, despite being under investigation in France over alleged spot-fixing.
The development comes as authorities continue to investigate the 23-year-old over alleged spot-fixing linked to a Ligue 1 match.
The Ivory Coast Football Federation initially announced that the administrative authorizations required for Wahi's entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained, before issuing an update confirming the clearance had been granted, and that he could play the match, scheduled for June 20 in Toronto.
The LFP said it was alerted by betting-market integrity partners to an unusual volume of international wagers on Wahi being booked during Nice's 0-0 Ligue 1 draw with Metz on May 17. The league passed the information to police, gambling regulators and the French Football Federation.
Global Gaming Insider previously reported on the ongoing investigation involving Elye Wahi, after unusual wagering activity was detected on the striker receiving a yellow card during Nice's Ligue 1 match against Metz. At the time, he had not been charged and no disciplinary proceedings have been opened by the LFP.
The Marseille prosecutor's office confirmed the investigation covers alleged offenses of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving stolen goods and money laundering. Wahi was questioned while in police custody and released without being detained.
Wahi received a yellow card in the 35th minute of the Metz match after a tackle on defender Sadibou Sané. The LFP noted he was also involved in another questionable challenge prior to that foul for which he did not receive a card.
The Ivory Coast Football Federation said it had not been officially notified of any judicial or administrative proceedings concerning Wahi and stated it offered full support to the player. The federation said: "Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team.”
Neither Wahi nor his representatives have made public statements on the case. The Athletic, which first reported the arrest, said it sought comment from Wahi, the Ivorian federation and FIFA without receiving a response. It also remains unclear whether FIFA was aware of the investigation before the tournament began.
Betting integrity monitors had flagged unusual international wagers on the yellow card outcome ahead of the arrest. Wahi was detained on the same day he scored twice for Nice. He subsequently featured in Ivory Coast's opening World Cup match, a 1-0 victory over Ecuador on June 14.
The yellow card Wahi received in the 35th minute of the Metz match was his fifth booking of the Ligue 1 season, triggering an automatic one-match suspension that ruled him out of Nice's first-leg relegation playoff against Saint-Étienne
