Former Premier League star breaks silence after airport 'assault' ahead of international match

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Former West Ham United star Nayef Aguerd has said the attack on him at Marseille-Provence Airport was "more fear than harm". Aguerd, who joined Marseille from the Hammers at the end of the summer transfer window, had been accosted while on his way to link up with the Morocco national team .

“I want to reassure everyone following the reports that have circulated. I was indeed attacked at Marignane Airport (the old name of Marseille-Provence) while waiting for my flight to join the Moroccan national team,” Aguerd wrote on social media. “Fortunately, it was more fear than harm, and the situation was quickly handled by security personnel and the police.” “Everything is now under control. I’m fine, and I’m focused on what matters most to me — playing for OM and representing my country with pride," he added, as translated by GFFN . "Thank you for all your messages of support. Let’s always stay calm and respectful. Life goes on.”

According to reports in France , Aguerd had initially been approached by a man who asked for the player's phone number and for a selfie. Security then intervened after the individual allegedly attempted to slap Aguerd.

The alleged attacker was apprehended and spoken to by authorities following the run-in. However, it has been reported that the footballer didn't have time to issue a formal complaint before boarding his flight to North Africa.

Morocco are due to host Bahrain in a friendly on Thursday before concluding their World Cup qualifying campaign against the Republic of Congo. Walid Regragui's team have already qualified for the finals with seven wins from seven.

Aguerd has more than 50 caps for his country, and was part of Regragui's squad which reached the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022. He started the first four matches, including a memorable victory over Spain, before injury cut short his tournament.

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At club level, Aguerd was reintegrated by West Ham in pre-season after a year out on loan at Real Sociedad. He played the full 90 minutes in each of West Ham's first two league games, defeats against Sunderland and Chelsea , before completing a deadline day move to Marseille.

His time at Stade Velodrome has been more fruitful than his final few months at the London Stadium. Marseille have won all four matches in which he has featured, conceding just one goal, and now sit just one point adrift of league leaders Paris Saint-Germain.

"I would like to thank the club for facilitating my adaptation. It’s as if I’ve been here for a year," Aguerd said in September after his header - ultimately given as a Marquinhos own goal - clinched victory over PSG .

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"It was a very important match for the fans, at home. We’re very happy. All the credit also goes to the coach and the technical staff. We’ll keep working, I hope we’ll continue on this path. It’s not my job to score, but I’m not going to deprive myself of helping the team.

"We’re working. There are a lot of repetitions and demands in training. With my size, there are also other very dangerous players, like Leo [Balerdi] and Ben [Pavard]. We’re taking advantage of our weapons and our qualities.

"It wasn't an easy match. They're a team that plays the ball well, presses, and puts in a lot of intensity. The coach knew how to stop them. It was tough; we had to sacrifice ourselves and make a lot of runs. It worked."

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