Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is to stand trial in France on charges of rape, a development that has drawn a formal warning from the United Kingdom over the conduct of high-profile athletes. The Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed the trial date on Wednesday, following a lengthy investigation into an incident alleged to have occurred in February 2023. Hakimi, 25, has denied the accusations.
The case has caused particular concern in London, where the Foreign Office issued a statement cautioning that athletes in prominent positions “must be held to the highest standards of behaviour, both on and off the field”. The statement, released late on Tuesday, did not name Hakimi directly but was widely interpreted as a response to the Moroccan international’s legal predicament. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: “The United Kingdom expects all visitors and residents to respect the law. Those in the public eye carry a special responsibility.”
The trial marks a significant escalation in a case that has been closely watched by the football world since Hakimi’s arrest in March 2023. The Paris prosecutor’s office declined to provide further details, though sources close to the investigation have indicated that the alleged victim is a 24-year-old woman who reported the incident to police shortly after it occurred. Hakimi’s legal team has argued that the encounter was consensual.
Hakimi’s standing as a national icon in Morocco and a key player for Paris Saint-Germain has added a diplomatic dimension to the proceedings. The Moroccan embassy in Paris has issued a brief statement expressing “confidence in the French judicial system” while noting that the footballer “is entitled to the presumption of innocence”.
The UK’s intervention is unusual and reflects a broader concern over the behaviour of elite athletes, particularly those who travel internationally for their careers. In recent years, a series of high-profile cases involving footballers, rugby players, and cricketers have prompted calls for stricter codes of conduct. The government has faced pressure from campaign groups to take a more active role in ensuring that sports governing bodies address allegations of serious misconduct promptly and transparently.
The trial is expected to begin in December. Hakimi, who has continued to train with PSG, is likely to face significant media scrutiny. The case also raises questions about the oversight of foreign athletes, with some MPs arguing that the UK should consider implementing a “sports visa” system that would require athletes to adhere to explicit behavioural standards or risk deportation.
Analysts point to a growing tension between the global mobility of sports stars and the legal frameworks of host nations. The UK’s warning, while carefully worded, signals a willingness to assert diplomatic pressure in cases that touch on public order and national values. For now, the focus remains on the judicial process in France, where the outcome could have lasting implications for Hakimi’s career and for the governance of international sport.
