The captain of Morocco's national football team, Achraf Hakimi, will stand trial for rape, a French court of appeals confirmed on Friday.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender strongly denies the allegations. After the ruling was announced, he posted on social media that he has been "waiting for this trial since day one. At last I'll be able to speak."
A date has not been announced for the start of the trial at the criminal court in the Hauts-de-Seine department.
The player is charged with raping a woman at his home outside Paris in 2023. The plaintif alleges that Hakimi kissed her and touched her without her consent and then raped her.
"This confirmation was expected. Nothing here says that he is guilty of anything, he remains steadfast in his defence," Hakimi's lawyer Fanny Colin said.
The plaintiff's lawyer Rachel-Flore Pardo said the decision brought her client "relief and hope."
The plaintiff said she met Hakimi in January 2023 on Instagram and went to his home in a taxi ordered by the player, a police source said at the time.
She claimed that the player kissed her, touched her without her consent and then raped her.
She said she managed to push him away and text a friend, who came to pick her up.
Speaking to the media for the first time on Thursday, the plaintiff said she wanted a trial "to defend herself, to be heard. I want to explain myself. I want people to believe me."
Hakimi is currently in the United States where Morocco faces Scotland on Friday in their second match of the 2026 World Cup.
Read the full article at Africanews →📄Source document: French court of appeals
3 reports
AfricanewsParty-alignedCenter2 days agoMorocco's national football team captain, Achraf Hakimi, will face a rape trial in a French court after an appeal confirmed the charges. Hakimi denies the allegations and expressed readiness to confront them in court. The alleged incident occurred in 2023 at his home outside Paris. The plaintiff claims she met Hakimi via Instagram, traveled to his residence via a taxi he arranged, and alleges she was kissed and touched without consent before being raped. Both the defendant's and plaintiff's lawyers have commented on the court's decision.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the accused's denial and the plaintiff's account without overtly favoring either side. It includes direct quotes from both parties' legal representatives and provides factual details of the case without editorializing or using biased language. The framing appears balanced,
Official sources cited
- government French court of appeals
- other Hakimi's lawyer Fanny Colin
- other Plaintiff's lawyer Rachel-Flore Pardo
LibérationIndependentCenter2 days agoThe Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will be tried for rape.
Bias read (Center): The article reports a legal proceeding without commentary or framing that suggests bias. It states the fact that Hakimi will be tried for rape without taking a stance or using loaded language.
Le ParisienIndependentCenter2 days agoAchraf Hakimi is set to learn the outcome of the sexual assault case against him today during the World Cup.
Bias read (Center): The article reports on a legal proceeding involving a public figure without apparent ideological framing or biased language. It focuses on the procedural aspect of the case rather than taking a stance on the allegations or the individual involved.
France