June 19 (THEWILL) — Morocco captain, Achraf Hakimi, is set to stand trial over rape allegations, following confirmation from French prosecutors.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender has been under investigation since 2023 after a 24-year-old woman accused him of sexually assaulting her at his residence in Paris. Authorities in Nanterre, a suburb west of the French capital, opened preliminary investigations shortly after the complaint was filed.
An investigating judge reportedly ordered the case to proceed to trial in February 2026, while recent reports from French media indicate Hakimi’s attempt to have the case dismissed on appeal was unsuccessful.
Hakimi, 27, has consistently denied the allegations and maintains his innocence.
Reacting to the latest development, the defender said he had remained silent for years out of respect for the judicial process but now looks forward to defending himself in court.
According to him, the case has caused significant damage to his personal life and family, adding that he believes he has been unfairly targeted because of his public profile.
Meanwhile, the accuser’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, described the decision to proceed to trial as a major step forward for her client.
She said the ruling offers both relief and hope, stressing that the trial could encourage more survivors of sexual violence to seek justice, including within professional sports.
No official date has been announced for the start of the trial.
The legal proceedings come as Hakimi continues to lead Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. Morocco’s group-stage matches are all scheduled in the U.S., but complications may arise if the team advances to knockout rounds involving fixtures in Canada or Mexico.
Questions over international travel restrictions have surfaced, particularly after Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was reportedly denied entry into Canada over separate legal issues involving sexual assault charges, all of which he denies.
Canadian immigration rules permit authorities to deny entry to individuals accused or convicted of certain criminal offences.
Despite the controversy, Hakimi remains one of Morocco’s most influential players. Since making his senior international debut in 2016 at just 17, he has earned 97 caps and played a pivotal role in Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, making them the first African nation to reach that stage.
At club level, Hakimi joined Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan in 2021 and has enjoyed major success, winning 13 trophies, including back-to-back UEFA Champions League titles.
