Why did Nayef Aguerd not start against France for Morocco?

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Morocco defender Nayef Aguerd was named in the starting line-up, only to disappear before kick-off

Morocco
(Image credit: Getty)

Morocco were forced to make a last-minute change to their starting XI for their semi-final match against France, replacing Nayef Aguerd with defender Achraf Dari.

Aguerd had been a key man for Morocco until this stage in the tournament, and his absence will have left supporters conerned. 

According to various new sources, the West Ham defender was a possible absentee ahead of the game and was deemed too injured to start during the warm up. 

Before tonight's clash with France, Aguerd had been subbed during Morocco's round-of-16 win against Spain last week, before missing his country's shock quarter-final win against Portugal. However, Aguerd had appeared to recieve the all-clear to start against France, meaning his ultimate asbence was tough to take for hopeful Morocco fans. 

Aguerd was initially included in the starting line up for the match, but for the second time this tournament, Morocco had to withdraw him, with reports suggesting he had suffered an injury during the warm up before the match began. 

Ed McCambridge
Ed McCambridge
Staff Writer

Ed is a staff writer at FourFourTwo, working across the magazine and website. A German speaker, he’s been working as a football reporter in Berlin since 2015, predominantly covering the Bundesliga and Germany's national team. Favourite FFT features include an exclusive interview with Jude Bellingham following the youngster’s move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, a history of the Berlin Derby since the fall of the Wall and a celebration of Kevin Keegan’s playing career.