Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) footballer Achraf Hakimi,, is set to stand trial on charges of rape, his lawyer and a French prosecutor confirmed on Tuesday.
The allegation stems from February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman reported to police in Val-de-Marne, southeast of Paris, that Hakimi had raped her.
Hakimi, 27, who played a pivotal role in Morocco becoming the first African and Arab side to reach the World Cup semi-finals in 2022, denies any wrongdoing.
“Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I contest it and everything proves that it is false,” Hakimi wrote on X on Tuesday. “I await this trial calmly, which will allow the truth to come out publicly.”
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, said a trial had been ordered. She described the allegation as based solely on the complainant’s testimony, noting that investigations were obstructed:
“A trial has been ordered on the basis of an accusation that rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations, refused all medical examinations and DNA tests, refused to allow her mobile phone to be examined, and refused to give the name of a key witness,” Colin said.
According to police sources, the woman met Hakimi on Instagram in January 2023 and went to his home via a taxi arranged by the player. She alleged that he kissed her, touched her without consent, and then raped her, before she managed to push him away and contact a friend who came to pick her up.
PSG coach Luis Enrique, when asked about the case at a press conference ahead of the Champions League play-off second leg against Monaco, said:
“This matter is in the hands of the authorities.”
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said her client was relieved the case would be heard in court and praised the judiciary for its handling of the matter. She added, however, that the case highlights ongoing challenges in men’s professional football regarding accountability and the #MeToo movement:
“There are still areas where the #MeToo movement has not yet breached the sound barrier, chiefly in men’s football,” she said.
