Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi will face trial in France over allegations of rape, casting a shadow over his glittering career and triggering urgent reviews by UK sporting authorities. The decision to bring the 24-year-old defender before a French court marks a significant escalation in a case that has simmered since February 2023, when a 23-year-old woman filed a complaint accusing Hakimi of sexual assault.
French prosecutors confirmed the trial date after a lengthy investigation, though no further details have been released to protect the alleged victim's identity. Hakimi, who has consistently denied the charges through his lawyers, faces a potential prison sentence if convicted. The case has sent shockwaves through football, with Hakimi considered one of the world's best full-backs and a national hero in Morocco following their historic World Cup run.
In Britain, the Football Association (FA) and Premier League have already begun confidential reviews of their safeguarding protocols and player conduct policies. A senior FA source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: "We are watching developments closely. Our duty is to ensure that those involved in the game uphold the highest standards, both on and off the pitch. Any conviction would have serious implications for a player's registration in England."
The Premier League, which does not currently have any club-affiliated players facing similar charges, declined to comment on specific cases but reiterated that all clubs must adhere to strict codes of conduct. However, campaign groups have criticised the slow pace of reform, pointing to previous cases where players were allowed to continue playing while under investigation.
Ruth Davison, chief executive of the END Violence Against Women Coalition, said: "Too often, sport has been a space where sexual violence is minimised or ignored. The fact that regulators are only now reviewing conduct after a high-profile trial is announced shows how far we have to go. We need mandatory reporting, independent investigations, and zero tolerance for any hint of intimidation against survivors."
The case also exposes a troubling disparity in how justice systems handle such allegations. In France, the legal process has moved with relative speed, while in Britain, many complainants face agonising waits or see their cases dropped due to insufficient evidence. Labour MP Sarah Champion, a long-time campaigner on violence against women, said: "The Hakimi case must prompt British authorities to look at their own record on prosecuting sexual offences in sport. Too many survivors are left without justice because the system is stacked against them."
For the average worker watching from their kitchen table, this story raises uncomfortable questions about power and impunity. In an economy where wages are squeezed and public services are stretched, the sight of a multi-millionaire footballer facing a criminal trial can feel like a world away. Yet the issues are universal: the right to safety, the demand for accountability, and the belief that no one, regardless of wealth or fame, should be above the law.
As Hakimi prepares to defend himself in court, his sponsors have adopted a wait-and-see approach. Nike, which features the player in global advertising campaigns, released a brief statement saying it is "monitoring the situation closely" and will "take appropriate action based on the outcome of the legal process." Whether that will be enough for consumers demanding ethical brands remains to be seen.
The trial is expected to begin later this year, with the verdict likely to reverberate far beyond the courtroom. For British sporting bodies, the pressure is on to prove that they can police their own ranks before the courts do it for them.
