PSG Defender Achraf Hakimi Ordered to Stand Trial in French Rape Case
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will face trial in France after being formally accused of rape, according to statements from his legal team and French prosecutors on Tuesday. The 27-year-old Moroccan international has vehemently denied all allegations against him.
Background of the Allegations and Legal Proceedings
In February 2023, a 24-year-old woman filed a police report in the Val-de-Marne region near Paris, alleging that Hakimi had sexually assaulted her. The case has now progressed to the trial stage after extensive preliminary investigations.
Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, confirmed that a trial has been ordered, a fact subsequently verified by the prosecutor's office in the Nanterre suburb of Paris. Colin raised significant concerns about the evidentiary basis of the case, stating that the accusation relies solely on the woman's testimony.
"A trial has been ordered on the basis of an accusation that rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations," Colin asserted. "She refused all medical examinations and DNA tests, declined to allow her mobile phone to be examined, and would not provide the name of a key witness."
Hakimi's Response and Social Media Statement
The football star took to social media platform X on Tuesday to express his position regarding the upcoming legal proceedings. Hakimi wrote that he remains calm about the trial and believes it will ultimately demonstrate his innocence.
"Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I contest it and everything proves that it is false," Hakimi stated in his post. "I await this trial calmly, which will allow the truth to come out publicly."
According to earlier police information obtained during the investigation, the woman claimed she initially connected with Hakimi through Instagram in January 2023. She reported that she traveled to his residence in a taxi he arranged, where she alleges he kissed and touched her without consent before committing rape. The woman stated she managed to push him away and contacted a friend who subsequently picked her up from the location.
Reactions from Legal Representatives and Football Authorities
The accuser's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, expressed relief that the case would proceed to court, describing the judiciary's handling of the matter as exemplary. However, Pardo also highlighted broader concerns about how such cases are treated within professional football circles.
"The treatment of this case in general shows there are still areas where the #MeToo movement has not yet breached the sound barrier, chiefly in men's football," Pardo commented, referencing the global movement against sexual harassment and assault.
When questioned about the situation during a Tuesday press conference ahead of PSG's Champions League play-off second leg match against Monaco, team coach Luis Enrique deferred to legal authorities. "This matter is in the hands of the authorities," Enrique stated, indicating the club's position of allowing the judicial process to unfold independently.
Professional Impact and Career Context
Despite the serious allegations and impending trial, Hakimi continues to train regularly with the Paris Saint-Germain squad and is expected to participate in their upcoming match against Monaco. The club has not indicated any immediate changes to his playing status while legal proceedings continue.
Achraf Hakimi, born in Spain to Moroccan parents, began his professional career at Real Madrid, making his senior debut in 2017. He was part of the squad when Real Madrid secured the 2017–18 Champions League title before subsequent transfers to Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan. Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and has since become a key defensive asset for the French champions.
Internationally, Hakimi played a crucial role for Morocco during their historic 2022 World Cup campaign, helping the team become the first African and Arab nation to reach the tournament's semi-finals. His professional achievements stand in stark contrast to the current legal challenges he faces in French court.
The trial represents a significant moment in French sports jurisprudence, testing how the judicial system handles serious allegations against high-profile athletes while balancing presumption of innocence with thorough investigation of sexual assault claims.
