A much-travelled centre-forward, the talented Vairelles started his professional career with hometown club AS Nancy before moving to RC Lens in summer 1995.

After four seasons with considerable success (one league and one cup title) he joined Olympique Lyonnais who sent him out on loan three times and finally sold him to Stade Rennais.

[2] He made his senior debut for France in an August 1998 friendly match against Austria and went on to earn eight caps, scoring one goal.

Vairelles is the first player from the Romani community (through his maternal biological grandfather) to play for the France national team.

[5] Tony Vairelles and his brothers Giovan, Jimmy, and Fabrice were held in pre-trial detention in Nancy from 25 October 2011 after a shooting in a discothèque in Essey-lès-Nancy.