Hakimi's rape trial appeal dismissed as PSG star prepares for World Cup duty

Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape after a French court rejected his appeal, confirming a trial date will be set following a judge’s original order in February 2025. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back and Morocco captain is alleged to have raped a 24-year-old woman at his home in Paris on 25 February 2023.

The 27-year-old defender has consistently denied the allegations. A public prosecutor opened an investigation in March 2023, and a judge formally ordered a trial earlier this year. No date has yet been set for the proceedings.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, issued a statement welcoming the ruling. “After more than three years of legal proceedings, and after my client was, in her view, defamed and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi’s defence, this decision brings her relief and hope,” she said. “Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have the right to a trial. Hope that this trial will help other women and further weaken the wall of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including in the world of men’s football.”

Hakimi responded on X, maintaining his innocence and expressing a desire for the trial to proceed. “Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: ‘If you weren’t famous, there never would have been a case,’” he wrote. “I chose to remain silent for years. I thought that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made. Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak.”

In a separate interview earlier this year, Hakimi described the situation as the hardest thing he had ever faced. “When they keep telling lie after lie, it hurts,” he said. “It hurts for my family, for my children, who are young. I know that at some point in their lives they’ll read things, and seeing that something about their father has been written and on top of that, it’s a lie, is not very pleasant.” He added that he had cooperated fully with police throughout the investigation.

Hakimi is currently on international duty with Morocco at the World Cup, where he is set to captain his side in their second group-stage match against Scotland.