The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) made a striking announcement this Wednesday evening, revealing suspicious activities following the OGC Nice – FC Metz encounter on May 17. The match, part of Ligue 1’s 34th round, has come under scrutiny due to atypical betting movements specifically involving Nice player Elye Wahi.
The goalless draw between Nice and Metz, a forgettable 0-0 affair, had significant implications for OGC Nice, forcing them into a playoff battle against AS Saint-Étienne to secure their Ligue 1 status.
However, the LFP’s recent communication highlights unusual international betting volumes linked to this fixture. Specifically, an abnormal number of wagers centered on a yellow card issued to Wahi during the May 17 game. This particular booking controversially led to Wahi’s suspension for the crucial first leg of the relegation playoff against AS Saint-Étienne, due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
The LFP promptly forwarded these concerning details to the relevant authorities, including the National Police’s Central Service for Races and Games, the National Gaming Authority, and the French Football Federation. To ensure a thorough investigation, a formal complaint was lodged against an unknown party on May 29, 2026, citing potential sports corruption and organized fraud.
At present, the LFP has stated it will offer no further comments and has not initiated any disciplinary proceedings. Nevertheless, the league reserves the right to take action as the ongoing investigations progress.
Reports indicate that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 footballer, presumed to be Elye Wahi, was apprehended on May 29 as part of an inquiry launched by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office. The investigation focuses on suspicions of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, receiving criminal property, and money laundering. Following questioning, the player was released, and inquiries are continuing.
Elye Wahi is thus suspected of intentionally receiving the yellow card. Reviewing footage of the incident, while the foul on Metz player Sadibou Sané was clear, it did not appear overtly deliberate. While this development is sure to fuel widespread speculation, it seems improbable at this stage that AS Saint-Étienne’s sporting season outcome will be directly altered. A comparable situation occurred in England’s Premier League, where West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta received a yellow card under similar circumstances, also linked to unusual betting volumes. Following that investigation, Paqueta ultimately received a reprimand from his federation.
Official LFP Statement:
“Following the OGC Nice – FC Metz match on May 17, the LFP was alerted by its specialized partners in sports betting market surveillance to atypical international betting movements. These alerts concerned an unusual volume of wagers involving a caution issued to player Elye Wahi.
In line with its mission and unwavering commitment to protecting the integrity of competitions, the LFP immediately transmitted these elements to the competent authorities: the National Police’s Central Service for Races and Games, the National Gaming Authority, and the French Football Federation.
As part of this framework, and to allow for the full revelation of the truth, a complaint against an unknown party was filed on May 29, 2026, for acts potentially constituting sports corruption and organized fraud.
At this stage, given the ongoing procedure and the confidentiality requirements communicated by police authorities, the LFP will not make any further comment and has not initiated disciplinary proceedings. It reserves the right to do so based on the evolution of investigations.
The LFP reiterates its full commitment to guaranteeing the integrity of its competitions and will act with the utmost firmness against any behavior likely to compromise it.”
