The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced on Thursday that striker Elye Wahi had received permission to enter Canada, hours after initially stating he could not travel due to lack of a visa. Wahi will now join the team in Toronto for Saturday's match against Germany.
"Elye Wahi's administrative situation has taken a positive turn. The necessary permits for entry into Canadian territory have now been issued," FIF said in a statement.
Wahi had been linked to an investigation into suspected sports corruption, after French authorities flagged unusual betting patterns surrounding a yellow card he received in a Ligue 1 match for Nice last month. Wahi, who did not immediately comment, has not been named as a suspect.
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 organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling stolen goods, and money laundering. Wahi's lawyer, Marie Dose, said the player was questioned "for several hours" last month but later released. "Elye Wahi currently faces no charges at this stage and is not subject to any judicial restrictions," she added.
FIF expressed full confidence in Wahi. "To date, FIF has not been officially informed of any legal or administrative proceedings concerning him. During this particularly difficult period, FIF offers its full support to the player and reaffirms its trust in him. Elye Wahi remains an important member of the Ivory Coast national team," the statement said.
Wahi, who previously represented France at U-21 level, made his senior debut for Ivory Coast in March. Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 in their opening Group E match, while Germany defeated Curacao 7-1. In a separate development, Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey missed Wednesday's 1-0 win over Panama in Toronto after an unsuccessful appeal against a Canadian visa denial. Partey faces seven rape charges and one count of sexual assault in England.
