Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in France over rape allegations, a decision he claims is driven by his celebrity status rather than evidence. The 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender is accused of raping a 24-year-old woman at his home near Paris in February 2023. The Versailles appeals court rejected his appeal against an earlier trial ruling, clearing the way for the legal process to proceed.
In a statement on social media, Hakimi claimed the justice system told him: “If you weren’t famous, there never would have been a case.” He added that he has been waiting for the trial since day one and is now “impatiently” anticipating it to finally tell his side of the story. He said, ” A story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth”.
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, welcomed the court’s decision. She described it as a relief for her client, whom she says was “defamed and dragged through the mud” by Hakimi’s defense. She expressed hope the trial would help “weaken the wall of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence” in football. Hakimi’s lawyer argues that exculpatory evidence would have led to the case being dropped in any other circumstance.
The trial date has not yet been set. The ruling came hours before Morocco faced Scotland in a World Cup match. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi confirmed Hakimi was “very calm” and focused on the game, despite being booed by some fans. He was also named the African player with the most World Cup appearances during that match.
