Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is set to face trial in France after prosecutors confirmed that a rape case against the Paris Saint-Germain defender will proceed to court.
The 27-year-old footballer has repeatedly denied the allegations, which stem from a complaint made by a 24-year-old woman who accused him of raping her at his home near Paris in 2023. French authorities opened an investigation in March of that year, and an investigating judge later ruled that the case should go to trial. A recent appeal by Hakimi to have the proceedings halted was unsuccessful.
The development comes while Hakimi is representing Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The defender led his country into their group-stage match against Scotland on Friday, just hours after confirmation emerged that the legal process would move forward.
Reacting to the decision, Hakimi maintained his innocence and said he was eager for the case to finally be heard in court.
In a statement shared on social media, the PSG star said he had remained silent for years because he believed the justice system would ultimately reach the correct conclusion. He added that the allegations had affected his family and personal life and claimed he had become an “easy target” because of his public profile. Hakimi said he was now looking forward to the trial so he could present his version of events.
The woman bringing the case welcomed the ruling through her lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, who described the decision as a source of relief and hope after more than three years of legal proceedings. She said her client felt she had finally been heard by the justice system and expressed hope that the case could encourage wider discussion about sexual violence, including within professional football.
No trial date has yet been announced.
The situation could potentially have implications for Morocco’s World Cup campaign should the team advance beyond the group stage. While all of Morocco’s group matches are being played in the United States, later rounds of the tournament are also scheduled in Canada and Mexico.
Canada’s immigration rules allow authorities to refuse entry to foreign nationals who have committed or been convicted of criminal offences. Similar concerns surfaced recently when Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was unable to enter Canada for his country’s World Cup opener. Partey has pleaded not guilty to multiple rape and sexual assault charges and is also awaiting trial.
Hakimi remains one of the most decorated players in Moroccan football history. Since making his senior international debut at just 17 years old in 2016, he has earned 97 caps and helped Morocco become the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
At club level, the defender joined Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan in 2021 and has won 13 trophies with the French giants, including Champions League titles in each of the past two seasons.
