Morocco national team captain and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will face trial for rape, a French judicial source has confirmed. The charges stem from an alleged incident in February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman accused Hakimi of assaulting her at his home in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt. The player has consistently denied the allegations, and his legal team maintains his innocence.
The trial, scheduled to commence in early 2024 at the Paris Criminal Court, will be closely watched by British authorities, given the cross-border nature of the case and the potential involvement of the Crown Prosecution Service if further evidence emerges linking the matter to the United Kingdom. Hakimi, 25, who also holds a Spanish passport, has been placed under judicial supervision but has not been detained. The case raises questions about the due process rights of high-profile athletes and the international cooperation required in such proceedings.
British justice officials have stated they are monitoring the situation but have not yet initiated any independent action. Hakimi's professional career remains unaffected for now, though the trial's outcome could have significant implications for his reputation and future in football. The Paris prosecutor's office has declined to comment further, citing the need to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
