Achraf Hakimi to stand trial over rape allegations

A French appeals court has confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco national team defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial over rape allegations, after rejecting his attempt to have the case dismissed, according to legal representatives on Friday.

The decision, delivered by the Versailles appeals court, upholds an earlier ruling by an investigating judge acting on recommendations from prosecutors, keeping the case active after more than three years of pre-trial proceedings.

Hakimi, 27, has consistently denied all allegations against him. The ruling comes as he remains in the global spotlight following a strong club season with PSG and international duty with Morocco at major tournaments.

The case stems from allegations made in February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman filed a complaint with police in the Val-de-Marne region, southeast of Paris. She alleged that Hakimi assaulted her at his residence in a Paris suburb after the two reportedly connected via social media.

French authorities placed Hakimi under formal investigation and judicial supervision in March 2023, initiating a lengthy investigative process involving judicial review and appeals from both sides.

Following years of legal proceedings, Hakimi’s defence sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to proceed to trial. That request was ultimately rejected by the appeals court.

Following the ruling, the lawyer representing the complainant, Rachel-Flore Pardo, welcomed the decision, saying it offered hope that the trial process would contribute to accountability in cases involving sexual violence.

Hakimi, however, expressed frustration over the continuation of the case. In a statement shared on social media, he suggested that the proceedings may have been influenced by his public profile, insisting he has been waiting for the opportunity to fully present his defence in court.

His lawyer, Fanny Colin, maintained that the investigation contains what she described as “exculpatory elements” and pointed to inconsistencies in the complainant’s statements. The defence has also argued that the prosecution’s case relies heavily on testimony, alongside contested aspects of the early medical and procedural record.

A trial date has not yet been set by the French judiciary. Hakimi remains presumed innocent until proven otherwise under French law as the case moves forward to trial proceedings.