A French appeals court has confirmed that Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan international who plays for Paris Saint‑Germain, will be tried on charges of rape stemming from an alleged incident in 2023.
Hakimi, who has been a regular starter for PSG and captain of the Moroccan national side, has consistently denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the accusations are false.
According to the complainant, who was 24 at the time, she first contacted the footballer on Instagram in January 2023 and later travelled to his home in a taxi arranged by the player, where she says he kissed her, touched her without consent and then raped her.
The woman, who has spoken publicly under the pseudonym Jeanne in a Mediapart article, said she managed to push Hakimi away and contact a friend, who arrived to pick her up.
Her legal representative, Rachel‑Flore Pardo, described the court’s decision as bringing her client “relief and hope,” adding that the plaintiff now wants to be heard and believed.
What comes next?
Hakimi’s own counsel, Fanny Colin, noted that the confirmation of the trial was expected and emphasized that it does not imply guilt, reiterating the player’s readiness to present his side of the story.
No date has yet been set for the proceedings, which will take place in the criminal court of the Hauts‑de‑Seine department, leaving both parties waiting for the next procedural step.
The case adds a new layer of scrutiny to a career that has seen Hakimi rise to prominence on the pitch, while the allegations have already prompted a wave of public and commercial reaction.