Morocco captain Hakimi to face rape trial

Morocco’s national football team captain, Achraf Hakimi, will stand trial in France on charges of 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 had 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 was charged following an allegation by a woman in 2023. The plaintiff’s lawyer said the decision brought her client “relief and hope.”

Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, said the confirmation was expected and that her client “remains steadfast in his defence.”

The plaintiff said she met Hakimi on Instagram and went to his home in a taxi ordered by the player, according to a police source cited at the time. She filed a complaint alleging rape.

The case has been pending since 2023. Hakimi has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Hakimi is currently in the United States with Morocco’s national team. Morocco faces Scotland on Friday in their second match of the 2026 World Cup.

SOURCE: AFP