Moroccan international Naif Akord, defender of Olympique Marseille, was the target of a bizarre attempted assault inside the VIP lounge at Marignane Airport in Marseille while preparing to travel to join the Moroccan national team's camp.

According to BFM Marseille-Provence, the incident began when an unknown man approached the Moroccan player asking to take a selfie with him and obtain his personal phone number, before the situation suddenly escalated into a tense moment, as the man raised his voice and attempted to slap Akord in front of shocked onlookers, then fled quickly.

Security personnel at the airport quickly intervened to contain the situation and ensure the player's safety, who was not physically harmed, while an urgent investigation was launched to identify the assailant and his motives.

Initial data, according to the same source, indicates that the perpetrator may be suffering from psychological disorders, while French security authorities have not yet issued any official statement regarding the details of the incident.

This incident comes at a sensitive time for Akord, who was preparing to join the Moroccan national team's camp in preparation for the upcoming matches against Bahrain and Congo as part of the international schedule.