A French appeals court confirms that Paris Saint-Germain defender and Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will face trial in a rape case, according to lawyers and French reporting cited by multiple outlets. The accusation dates to February 2023, when a woman then aged 24 reported to police in the Val-de-Marne region southeast of Paris that Hakimi raped her. Hakimi denies the allegation.

The decision follows an appeal of an earlier ruling by an investigative judge. Prosecutors had recommended that he be sent to trial, and the Versailles appeals court orders that Hakimi be formally charged with rape, finding sufficient evidence for the case to proceed. Several reports note that the appeals-court decision is issued shortly before Morocco plays in the ongoing World Cup.

In addition to the legal proceedings, some coverage includes Hakimi’s public response, including statements he makes in connection with the case, while the next stage will be the trial in France. The reporting consistently characterizes the development as a confirmation that he will stand trial, not a finding of guilt.