Achraf Hakimi to stand trial in France over alleged rape, appeals court confirms

Morocco captain and PSG star Achraf Hakimi to face rape trial

Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape a Paris appeals court has ruled. The captain of the Moroccan team was first accused of rape in 2023, by a then 24 year old woman. In February this year, an investigative judge ruled that Hakimi would face trial followed recommendations from public prosecutors. The PSG right back appealed the decision, but today that appeal was quashed paving the way for Hakimi to be tried in a criminal court.

Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco star player Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case, a French appeals court confirmed on Friday.

A French appeals court confirmed Friday that Morocco's star player and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case. 

Morocco captain and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi is set to stand trial in France after prosecutors confirmed legal proceedings over a rape allegation dating back to 2023. According to reports in French media, the 27-year-old recently failed in an appeal seeking to have the case dismissed.A 24-year-old woman accused Hakimi of raping her at his home near Paris in February 2023. French authorities opened a preliminary investigation the following month, and an investigating judge ordered a trial in February 2026. La justice m’a regardé dans les yeux et m’a dit : « Si vous n’étiez pas connu, il n’y aurait jamais eu d’affaire. »J’ai choisi de me taire pendant des années. J’ai pensé que rester digne, être patient et faire confiance à la justice permettrait que les bonnes décisions soient…— Achraf Hakimi (@AchrafHakimi) June 19, 2026 Hakimi has consistently denied the allegations. In a statement posted on social media on Friday, the Morocco international said he had remained silent for years because he trusted the judicial process."The justice system looked me in the eye and said, 'If you weren't famous, there would never have been a case,'" Hakimi wrote. He added that he was now "eagerly awaiting" the trial and hoped to finally tell his side of the story.The plaintiff's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, welcomed the decision to proceed to trial, saying it brought her client "relief and hope" after more than three years of legal proceedings. She said her client felt she had been heard by the justice system and expressed hope that the case would encourage other victims of sexual violence to come forward.No trial date has been announced.Thomas Partey To Miss Ghana’s FIFA World Cup 2026 Opener After Canada Denies Entry Amid Rape ChargesThe development comes while Hakimi is leading Morocco's campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Morocco's group-stage matches are being played in the United States, but the defender could face complications travelling to Canada or Mexico if the team advances to the knockout rounds and fixtures are scheduled outside the US.Hakimi remains one of Morocco's most influential players. Since making his international debut as a teenager in 2016, he has earned nearly 100 caps and played a key role in Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the best-ever finish by an African nation. At club level, he has enjoyed major success with Paris Saint-Germain, winning multiple domestic and European titles since joining from Inter Milan in 2021.

Hakimi, 27, is part of Morocco's squad at the 2026 World Cup.