World Cup star and Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi to stand trial for rape after losing court appeal
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco star player Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case, a French appeals court confirmed on Friday.
The defender, who is currently representing Morocco at the World Cup after winning the Champions League for a second straight year with PSG, had appealed a February decision by an investigative judge.
That ruling followed recommendations from public prosecutors that Hakimi should face trial.
The decision was released just hours before Morocco takes on Scotland in their Group C match. Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil in its opening game.
The decision was released just hours before Morocco takes on Scotland in their Group C match
Hakimi, one of the best right backs in the world, denies any wrongdoing. He faced preliminary charges of rape in March 2023 after a 24-year-old woman said she was raped by Hakimi at his home in a Paris suburb.
The Versailles appeals court said in a press statement that it ordered Hakimi be formally charged with rape.
The court said that the investigations conducted during the inquiry and the judicial investigation led the investigating chamber to conclude that there is sufficient evidence against the player to stand trial.
Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the claimant, said that after more than three years of legal proceedings, ‘and after being defamed and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi’s defense,’ the court’s decision ‘brings my client a sense of relief and hope.’
