Hakimi to stand trial on rape charges after Versailles appeal court rejects dismissal bid

Achraf Hakimi will stand trial on rape charges after a Versailles appeal court rejected his bid to have the case dismissed, ruling on Thursday that sufficient evidence exists to bring the PSG and Morocco right-back before the Departmental Criminal Court. Hakimi was charged in March 2023 in connection with an incident alleged to have occurred in February of that year and has consistently denied any wrongdoing. No trial date has yet been set.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel Flore-Pardo, confirmed the ruling in a statement posted on X. “The investigating chamber has ruled that there is sufficient evidence against Achraf Hakimi for committing rape,” she wrote. “Six judges therefore determined that the numerous incriminating elements justify indicting Achraf Hakimi before the Departmental Criminal Court for rape.”

Flore-Pardo added that the decision was “perfectly consistent with the evidence in the case and in line with the opinions of the public prosecutor, the investigating judge, and the advocate general at the Court of Appeal.” She said the ruling offered her client “relief at having been heard by the justice system and at having the right to a trial,” and expressed hope that the case would “help other women, and further crack the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, even in the world of men’s football.”

Hakimi’s defence team had argued the case should be dropped entirely, telling the Associated Press that “the multitude of exculpatory elements uncovered during the investigation and judicial inquiry would, in any other case, have led to the dismissal of the proceedings.” His lawyers also cited what they described as “contradictions and false statements made by the complainant” and her alleged “obstruction of the search for the truth.”

Hakimi responded to the ruling on X, writing: “Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: ‘If you weren’t famous, there never would have been a case’.” He said he had chosen to remain silent for years, believing that patience and trust in the justice system “would allow the right decisions to be made,” but added: “Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth.”

Despite the legal proceedings, Hakimi appears set to continue representing Morocco at the World Cup, having started their opening group match against Brazil.