Ivory Coast’s Elye Wahi has been denied entry into Canada until Saturday WC match against Germany.
The reason is a recent arrest for alleged spot-fixing, the illegal manipulation of a specific part of a sporting event. Spot-fixing, which does not necessarily affect the outcome of a match, is often carried out for betting purposes.
Athletics spoke to sources with knowledge of the arrest, who said that the 23-year-old football player is part of an active investigation. He is accused of deliberately picking up a yellow card against Metz on May 17 while playing for his club, Nice.
France’s Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) received notices of suspicious betting patterns in Nice’s match against Metz. One particular bet focused on Wahi receiving a yellow card.
French police then arrested Wahi on 29 May after he scored two goals in a win over Saint-Etienne.
Wahi still traveled to the United States to play for Ivory Coast in the World Cup. He started a Group E match in Philadelphia as Ivory Coast defeated Ecuador 1-0. When the team went to Canada, he could not travel with them.
“The administrative permits necessary for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this time,” Ivory Coast said in a statement. “Elye Wahi will therefore remain in the United States while awaiting the team’s return.”
Polymarket Offer: Deposit $20, Get $50 Bonus
Wahi is unable to travel to Canada as the opening round of the World Cup takes place. Ivory Coast are currently seen as one of the better options to win Group E.
According to Polymarket tradersGermany have the best chance of winning Group E with 73%. Ivory Coast is second with 21%. Ecuador is third with 4%, while Curacao has less than a 1% chance of winning the group.
Polymarket Offer: Deposit $20, Get $50 Bonus
- Click the button below
- Download the Polymarket app
- Deposit $20, get $50
- Place Trade
- Redeem winnings
First time users only. Must be 18+.
These numbers can certainly change in the coming days when Ivory Coast and Germany face each other. If Ivory Coast manage without Wahi in the lineup, The Polymarket traders could move the numbers on the platform.
PopCulture.com receives compensation if users sign up to Polymarket via links in this article. This content is intended for users 18 years of age or older. Polymarket is a prediction market platform and may not be available in all states or jurisdictions. Please check your local laws and regulations before participating.
