INEOS star arrested for alleged match fixing offences

Manchester United’s owners INEOS continue to have influence across European football, with their network once again finding itself connected to a major off-field controversy during the World Cup period.

Across their football structure, both Manchester United and OGC Nice have been under scrutiny in recent months for changes on and off the pitch.

An incident involving a player at one of their sister clubs has now taken a dramatic turn.

Elye Wahi arrested

Ivory Coast forward Elye Wahi has reportedly been arrested less than two weeks before the World Cup on suspicion of match-fixing offences, according to reports from The Athletic.

The 23-year-old is said to be the subject of an ongoing investigation into whether he intentionally received a yellow card during a Ligue 1 match between Nice and Metz on 17 May.

Elye Wahi, who was on loan at OGC Nice, was later arrested by French police on 29 May before being released after questioning.

A spokesperson from the Marseille public prosecutor’s office confirmed the nature of the investigation.

“We can confirm that a 23-year-old football player, competing in France’s Ligue 1, was arrested on May 29 as part of an investigation opened by the Marseille public prosecutor’s office into allegations of organized fraud, organized sports corruption, handling of proceeds of crime and money laundering.

“He was released after he was interviewed in police custody.

“The investigations remain ongoing. The football player is not a member of the French selection taking part in the World Cup.”

The incident in question relates to a booking Wahi received during the match, which reportedly triggered suspicions after multiple bets were placed on him to be cautioned.

He was shown a yellow card in the 35th minute after a challenge on Metz defender Sadibou Sane, following an earlier foul on Bouna Sarr.

That booking ultimately led to a suspension that saw him miss part of Nice’s subsequent fixtures, before he later returned to action.

Despite the ongoing investigation, Wahi was still permitted to travel with Ivory Coast for the World Cup, where he featured in his country’s 1-0 win over Ecuador.

They are set to face Germany in Toronto next.

The striker, who previously represented France at youth level including the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, has since switched international allegiance and featured twice for Ivory Coast.

The controversy comes at a turbulent time for OGC Nice, who have also recently confirmed major changes in the dugout.

The club have parted ways with Claude Puel and appointed Olivier Pantaloni as their new manager as part of a wider reshuffle.