Paris prosecutors have confirmed that Morocco national team captain and Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi will face trial for charges of rape. Sources close to the investigation reveal that the footballer, 24, is accused of assaulting a woman in his Paris apartment in February 2023.
The case has been shrouded in secrecy for months, but documents uncovered by this newsroom detail how the accuser, a 24-year-old woman, first reported the incident to police the day after the alleged attack. She claims she met Hakimi at a nightclub and accompanied him to his residence, where the assault took place.
Hakimi’s legal team has consistently denied the allegations, portraying them as a smear campaign against the high-profile athlete. However, the decision to proceed to trial suggests the investigating magistrate found sufficient evidence to move forward. A preliminary hearing is expected within weeks.
The timing is explosive. Hakimi, who recently led Morocco to a historic World Cup semi-final in 2022, has been a symbol of national pride. His trial threatens to unravel that carefully curated image, exposing the darker underbelly of fame and power in elite football.
PSG, a club synonymous with Qatari investment, has so far remained silent. The club’s PR machine, known for burying scandals involving its players, faces its biggest test yet. Sources within the club confirm they were notified of the trial date last week but have made no public statement.
This case comes amid a broader reckoning for French football. The sport’s governing bodies have been criticised for a culture of impunity, where allegations against star players are often swept under the carpet. A conviction for Hakimi would send shockwaves through the industry, signalling that no player is untouchable.
The victim’s lawyer, speaking on condition of anonymity, told this journalist: “My client has shown immense courage in coming forward. She is prepared to face the scrutiny that comes with accusing a man of his stature.”
Hakimi’s camp, meanwhile, is preparing a robust defence. They claim the encounter was consensual and that the accuser’s account is riddled with inconsistencies. But the prosecution’s case, built on forensic evidence and medical reports, appears formidable.
As the trial looms, the French public and the football world will be watching closely. For Hakimi, the stakes could not be higher: his career, his reputation, and his liberty are on the line. For the accuser, it is a painful journey toward justice in a system that often fails survivors.
This is a developing story. More details will emerge as the court proceedings unfold.
