Former West Ham defender Nayef Aguerd was reportedly assaulted at an airport in Marseille while waiting to board a flight for international duty with Morocco. The 29-year-old centre-back, who now plays for Olympique de Marseille, was set to travel ahead of friendly matches against Bahrain and Congo when the incident occurred.
According to BFM Marseille-Provence, Aguerd was in the VIP lounge at the airport when he was approached by a man who asked for a selfie and his phone number. Witnesses said the man “raised his voice” and then “tried to slap” the player, prompting airport security to intervene immediately.
Security personnel quickly subdued the attacker, who was then detained by police for questioning. Authorities said the situation was brought under control swiftly, but Aguerd did not have time to file a formal complaint before departing to join his teammates for Morocco’s international fixtures.
A source quoted in the French outlet said, “The man became aggressive after Aguerd refused to give him his number. He tried to hit him, but security stepped in immediately. The player was unharmed but clearly shaken.”
Aguerd joined West Ham from Rennes in 2022 in a £30 million transfer, making 61 appearances for the Hammers and scoring four goals. He played a key role in West Ham’s 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League triumph, helping the club secure its first major European trophy in over four decades.
After spending last season on loan at Real Sociedad, the Moroccan defender made a permanent move to Marseille in the summer transfer window following a £20 million bid. The club’s sporting director, Medhi Benatia, revealed that manager Roberto De Zerbi had personally pushed for Aguerd’s signing.
“It’s not just because of me that Aguerd is here,” Benatia said. “The truth is, the coach wanted him. During the pre-season tour in the United States, when the coach saw him, he said, ‘Stop everything, I want Nayef Aguerd.’”
Aguerd has since become an integral part of De Zerbi’s defensive plans at Marseille. The club has not issued an official statement regarding the incident, but French authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway into the attempted assault.
