Coventry City’s talismanic forward Haji Wright confronts a potential lifetime ban from the EFL amid explosive claims of his role in a gambling syndicate that leaked confidential team intel to illicit bettors. The 27-year-old USMNT star, acquired in a €9 million club-record transfer from Antalyaspor in August 2023, allegedly shared match lineups, injury reports, and tactical details—potentially influencing odds in underground rings across Europe and Asia. Anonymous sources tied to the probe, cited in tabloid reports, highlight phone records and encrypted chats linking Wright to fixers, with leaks affecting at least six 2024-25 Championship games, such as Coventry’s 3-3 FA Cup draw with Manchester United where Wright converted a late penalty.
The probe ignited on November 10, 2025, as EFL integrity teams, alerted by a London betting firm whistleblower, searched Wright’s home and confiscated devices. Early leaks suggest he pocketed over £500,000 via offshore accounts, involving club insiders and agents. Wright, Coventry’s top scorer with 26 goals in 67 outings and eight this season, rejects the accusations: “These baseless claims tarnish my dedication to club and country—I’ll prove my innocence.” Support pours in from USMNT colleagues like Christian Pulisic, who labeled it a “witch hunt” online, while FIFA probes his 17 international caps and 2022 World Cup role.
Coventry, mid-table under interim manager Rhys Carr after October’s Mark Robins dismissal, suspended Wright pending review: “These grave allegations leave us heartbroken; we’re aiding authorities fully, prioritizing integrity and welfare.” Fan backlash has slashed promotion odds by 40%, with #JusticeForCoventry surging as calls for openness grow. The scandal risks voiding results, nullifying millions in bets, and sparking an EFL-wide audit—far eclipsing the 2013 Evans case, amid £1 billion yearly gambling stakes.
Wright’s path—from New York Cosmos youth to Turkish goal machine—teeters on the edge of ruin. A ban would bar him from pro football, derailing 2026 World Cup hopes and saddling Coventry with a £7.7 million loss. Rumors of a plea for a lighter penalty hint at MLS or overseas redemption. Right now, the league’s poster boy wears the mark of disgrace at the CBS Arena.
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