Reasons revealed for Archraf Akimi’s absence from the Marc-Vivien Foe Award shortlist

The Moroccan international was ruled out by one of the selection criteria.

The nominees for the award for the best African player in France’s Ligue 1 were revealed on Thursday 9 April. But, Archraf Akimi, last year’s winner, does not feature on the list of 11 finalists. However, this absence is not linked to the player’s performance on the pitch.

It is instead due to the legal case facing Archraf Akimi. According to the newspaper L’Equipe, the Moroccan has been excluded from the list of 11 finalists due to his referral to trial for rape. One of the selection criteria stipulates that a player must “exhibit exemplary behaviour both on and off the pitch”. This explains Archraf Akimi’s absence from the list of 11 nominees.