Morocco World Cup captain Achraf Hakimi to stand trial for alleged rape in France
PSG and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi to stand trial for an alleged rape
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for an alleged rape, a French court has confirmed.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender, who is set to play in his country's World Cup game against Scotland on Friday, has denied the allegations.
It comes after a woman accused Hakimi, 27, of raping her at his home in the French capital in 2023, when she was aged 24.
The public prosecutor's office in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris, began a preliminary investigation in March 2023.
The court confirmed on Friday that the trial will go ahead, although a start date has not been announced.
Hakimi, who has helped club side PSG to back-to-back Champions League wins, has made 97 appearances for Morocco after making his debut in 2016 aged 17.
In a post on social media on Friday, he wrote: "The justice system looked me in the eye and said, 'If you weren't famous, there would never have been a case,'" Hakimi wrote on social media on Friday.
"I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that maintaining my dignity, being patient, and trusting in the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.
"Today, a story that isn't mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. I sometimes feel like I've become an easy target.
"I've been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I'm eagerly awaiting it. Finally, I'll be able to speak."
The alleged victim’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, also posted a statement on X, saying the appeal court’s decision was justified and “perfectly consistent with the elements of the file”.
She added: “Six magistrates considered that the many charges justify an indictment of Achraf Hakimi before the Departmental Criminal Court for rape.
“After more than three years of legal proceedings, and after my client was, in her view, defamed and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi’s defence, this decision brings her relief and hope.
“Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have the right to a trial.
“Hope that this trial will help other women and further weaken the wall of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including in the world of men’s football.”
Scotland take on Morocco in their second match of the World Cup on Friday after getting off to a winning start against Haiti last weekend.
The men’s national team will play in their second Group C clash at the Gillette Stadium in Foxborough at 6pm local time - which is 11pm in Scotland.
A point against Morocco, who drew 1-1 with Brazil in their opening Group C game, would all but guarantee a place in the knockout stages for the first time.