Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi is denied authorization to travel to Canada for his team’s next World Cup match against Germany, sources report. Multiple outlets say Wahi is under investigation for alleged match-fixing or spot-fixing offences, after reports of an arrest connected to fixing allegations surfaced earlier this week. The Ivory Coast football federation says it cannot obtain the “necessary administrative authorizations” for Wahi’s entry into Canadian territory in time for the game.
Coverage agrees that the development means Wahi will miss the match scheduled in Canada, which is described as taking place in Toronto. One report notes Wahi had started in Ivory Coast’s opening match against Ecuador, which they won 1-0 in Philadelphia. Another outlet frames the arrest as being connected to suspected fixing offences and reports that he was refused entry following that. Overall, the federation’s explanation focuses on visa or entry authorization delays, while the underlying trigger is the ongoing investigation and related arrest into alleged fixing activities.
