French Court Orders Hakimi to Stand Trial on Rape Charge

A French appeals court has ruled that Achraf Hakimi, the Morocco national team captain and Paris Saint-Germain right-back, must stand trial on a rape charge. The decision came after a woman filed a complaint with police in the Val-de-Marne region southeast of Paris, alleging an incident in early 2023 when she was 24 years old.

Hakimi's legal team has consistently maintained his innocence. The case began when the complainant approached authorities in early 2023 following the alleged incident.

A public prosecutor's office in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris, initiated a preliminary investigation in March 2023. An investigating judge subsequently ordered the trial to proceed, a decision that survived Hakimi's recent appeal to have the case dismissed.

The 27-year-old footballer is a key player for PSG and serves as captain of Morocco's squad. Morocco faces Scotland in its second group match of the 2026 World Cup campaign scheduled for Friday.

Hakimi posted on social media following the court ruling, stating he chose to remain silent and would trust the judicial process to reach the correct decision. Sources differ on the scheduled trial date.

One report indicates the trial is set for February 2026, while others do not specify when proceedings will begin before the Hauts-de-Seine criminal court. Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, reiterated his denial of the allegations and expressed confidence in the legal system's handling of the matter.