In brief
Paris‑Saint‑Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, who captains the Morocco national team, has been ordered by a French judge to stand trial over a rape claim made by a 24‑year‑old woman at his Paris home in 2023. The investigation began in March 2023 and, despite an appeal, the trial is set for February 2026. Hakimi has publicly denied the allegations, asserting he wishes to remain silent until the judicial process concludes, while the plaintiff’s lawyer says the case offers relief and a message against impunity in football. The trial’s start date is yet unconfirmed, and Morocco’s 2026 World Cup matches, currently hosted in the United States, could be affected if Hakimi faces entry restrictions in Canada or Mexico should the side advance to the knockouts.
Paris‑Saint‑Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in France over a 2023 rape allegation, court dates still pending.
A woman accused the 27‑year‑old international captain of raping her at his Paris home in 2023; the victim was 24 when the incident occurred.
The public prosecutor’s office in Nanterre launched a preliminary investigation in March 2023, and an investigating judge ordered a trial in February 2026. Hakimi’s recent appeal to dismiss the case was rejected.
Hakimi has consistently denied the accusations. In a social‑media post he wrote that the justice system viewed him with eyes that revealed fame, and that he had chosen silence for years, awaiting a fair decision.
Rachel‑Flore Pardo, the plaintiff’s lawyer, said that after years of legal proceedings the decision brings relief and hope, and that the trial will help dismantle a culture of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including in men’s football.
While a start date for the trial has not yet been set, all Morocco group‑stage fixtures remain in the United States, allowing Hakimi to play without travel restrictions. However, if Morocco reaches the knockout stages, he could face difficulties entering Canada or Mexico, echoing the earlier denial of Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey’s entry into Canada.
Hakimi earned 97 caps for Morocco, debuted in 2016 at 17, and helped the nation reach the World Cup semi‑finals in 2022. He joined Paris St‑Germain from Inter Milan in 2021 and has won 13 trophies, including two Champions League titles.
