Suspicion of match-fixing in Nice’s Ligue 1 game involving Wahi
The French Professional Football League (LFP) has raised alarms over suspicious betting patterns surrounding a recent Ligue 1 match involving OGC Nice, prompting investigations into potential match-fixing.
The controversy centers on the 34th matchday fixture between Nice and FC Metz on May 17, a match that ended 0-0 and forced Nice into a relegation playoff against AS Saint-Étienne. The LFP’s alert came after international betting platforms reported an unusual surge in wagers linked to a specific event during the game: a yellow card issued to Nice striker Elye Wahi.
While Wahi’s booking appeared justified by his challenge on Metz’s Sadibou Sané, the timing and volume of bets raised eyebrows. The LFP confirmed it had notified authorities, including the Central Service for Racing and Gambling, the National Gaming Authority, and the French Football Federation. A criminal complaint was filed on May 29 under allegations of sports corruption and organized fraud.
The league has pledged full cooperation with ongoing investigations but has refrained from public commentary or disciplinary action until findings are conclusive. A spokesperson for the Marseille Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player was questioned in relation to the case but was released pending further inquiries.
Wahi’s potential involvement stems from allegations that he deliberately earned the yellow card, though replays suggest the foul was not overtly premeditated. Comparisons have been drawn to a similar incident in the English Premier League involving West Ham’s Lucas Paquetá, who received a questionable booking in a match with abnormal betting activity. Paquetá faced only a formal warning from his federation following the investigation.
The LFP’s statement emphasized its commitment to protecting competition integrity while cautioning that any further remarks would be premature. The league reserves the right to take disciplinary action as the case develops.
Official LFP statement:
“Following the Ligue 1 match between OGC Nice and FC Metz on May 17, the LFP was alerted by specialized betting monitoring partners about irregular betting patterns on an event involving Elye Wahi. In line with its duty to safeguard competition integrity, the LFP immediately shared these findings with national authorities, including the Central Service for Racing and Gambling, the National Gaming Authority, and the French Football Federation.
A criminal complaint was filed on May 29 for potential sports corruption and organized fraud. Given the active investigation and confidentiality requirements, the LFP will refrain from further public statements or disciplinary measures at this stage. However, it reserves the right to act as new evidence emerges.
The LFP reaffirms its unwavering commitment to preserving the integrity of French football and will take decisive action against any conduct that threatens it.”
