Ivory Coast's Elye Wahi Barred from Entering Canada

Ivory Coast striker Elye Wahi was denied entry into Canada ahead of his country's FIFA World Cup Group E match against Germany in Toronto on Saturday.

The bombshell development, announced by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) on Thursday, comes less than 24 hours after revelations that

The 23-year-old forward is under active criminal investigation in France for alleged spot-fixing as a result of which he was denied entry, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced on Thursday.

"The administrative authorisations required for his entry into Canadian territory could not be obtained at this stage," the federation said in a statement.

The FIF backed the player on fixing allegations.

"To date, the FIF has not been officially notified of any judicial or administrative proceedings involving him. In this particularly difficult time, FIF gives its full support to the player. Elye Wahi remains an important part of the national team of Ivory Coast."

Wahi will remain at the team's tournament base in Philadelphia while the rest of the squad travels across the border for the crucial match.