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Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi granted travel to Canada for World Cup match despite betting investigation
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi has received permission to travel to Canada for his country鈥檚 World Cup match against Germany, according to the Ivorian football federation. This development follows earlier indications that Wahi, who is under investigation for alleged betting-related offenses, would be unable to travel. French police arrested Wahi in May as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged spot-fixing activities. The French soccer league reported an "unusual amount of bets" placed internationally on Wahi receiving a yellow card during a May 17 match while playing for OGC Nice. The Marseille prosecutor鈥檚 office confirmed a 23-year-old professional football player was arrested on May 29, 2026, as part of an investigation into alleged offenses including organized fraud, sports corruption, receiving stolen goods, and money laundering. The player was questioned and released. The Ivorian football federation stated it has not been formally informed of any judicial or administrative proceedings against Wahi and offers its full support, reaffirming confidence in him as an important team member. Wahi started in Ivory Coast's 1-0 win over Ecuador and is scheduled to face Germany on Saturday.
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Must ReadA French appeals court has confirmed that Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023. The Paris Saint-Germain defender denies the accusations. In February 2023, a 24-year-old woman reported to police that Hakimi had raped her. Hakimi, the PSG right-back and captain of the Moroccan national team, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, stating on X that he had been "waiting for this trial since day one" and would "at last, be able to speak." His lawyer, Fanny Colin, noted that the confirmation was expected and that Hakimi remains steadfast in his defense. The plaintiff's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, expressed that the decision brought her client "relief and hope." The plaintiff reportedly met Hakimi on Instagram in January 2023 and went to his home. She alleged that he kissed her, touched her without consent, and then raped her, managing to push him away and text a friend for a ride. Speaking to Mediapart, the woman, using the pseudonym Jeanne, stated she wanted a trial "to defend myself, to be heard" and for people to believe her. A date for the trial has not yet been announced.
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