Elye Wahi cleared to enter Canada for Ivory Coast’s Germany match
Ivory Coast’s federation said the forward received the needed travel approval after earlier saying he lacked authorization to enter Canada.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
3 min read
Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi has been cleared to travel to Canada for his team’s World Cup match against Germany, the Ivorian Football Federation said Thursday. The decision matters for Ivory Coast’s Group E plans after the federation had earlier said Wahi would have to stay in the United States because his Canadian entry approval had not been secured.
The federation said on its official X account that Wahi’s “administrative situation” had changed favorably and that the authorizations needed for him to enter Canada had been obtained. Earlier Thursday, the federation had said the forward would remain in the United States until the squad returned from Canada.
Wahi had been linked to an investigation in France into suspected sports corruption, according to French authorities cited by AFP and Reuters. Authorities said unusual betting activity had been detected around a yellow card Wahi received last month in a Ligue 1 match while playing for Nice.
Wahi was not immediately available for comment, AFP and Reuters reported. The reports said he has not been named as a suspect.
French inquiry
A spokesperson for the Marseille prosecutor’s office said a 23-year-old Ligue 1 player was taken into custody on May 29 as part of an investigation into suspected organised fraud, organised sports corruption, handling stolen goods and money laundering. The spokesperson did not say Wahi had been charged.
Marie Dose, Wahi’s lawyer, said the player had been questioned for several hours last month and then released. Dose said Wahi was not facing charges at this stage and was not under judicial restrictions.
The Ivorian Football Federation said it had not received official notice of legal or administrative proceedings involving Wahi. The federation said it supported him during what it called a difficult period and continued to regard him as an important member of the national team.
Wahi previously played for France at under-21 level before making his senior debut for Ivory Coast in March, according to AFP and Reuters. His availability gives Ivory Coast another attacking option before the Germany match.
Group E context
Ivory Coast opened its World Cup campaign with a 1-0 win over Ecuador. Germany began with a 7-1 victory over Curacao.
The visa issue involving Wahi followed another Canada entry case affecting an African World Cup squad. Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey missed Ghana’s 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto on Wednesday after Ghana failed in an appeal against the rejection of his Canadian visa, AFP and Reuters reported.
Partey is facing seven rape charges and one count of sexual assault in the United Kingdom, according to the reports. Ghana still beat Panama with a late goal.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.