Hakimi loses appeal and must appear before French Court of Cassation
While the World Cup in June in the USA, Mexico and Canada was already in full swing and the captain of Morocco, Achraf Hakimi, shaped the tournament for his national team, he now has to appear before the French Court of Cassation in September because his appeal against the proceedings on rape allegations was rejected.
Court of Cassation rejects request
On Wednesday, 23 September 2026, the Court of Cassation confirmed the rejection of the request of Hakimi to discontinue the proceedings. Thus the case against the 27‑year‑old national player remains.
In June, during the World Cup in the USA, an appellate court had already ruled that Hakimi must appear in court over an alleged rape in 2023. The defender of Paris Saint‑Germain had appealed that decision.
Allegations and defence in focus
The allegations come from a woman who was 24 at the time, who testified to the police in February 2023 that she had been raped by Hakimi. She reported that he had met her via Instagram, invited her to his home and then kissed and raped her against her will.
The investigation included psychological assessments of both parties and the questioning of additional witnesses, including Kylian Mbappé. After a second interview, the woman filed a complaint, Le Nouvel Obs reported.
In February 2026 the prosecution decided to bring charges. At a hearing in May the Court of Cassation rejected the request of Hakimi to terminate the proceedings.
The plaintiff's lawyer stated that her client is “determined to obtain justice and to fight to the bitter end”. She hopes the trial can help other women and shake the “fortress mentality” in men's football.
Hakimi's defender emphasized to Le Monde that the Court of Cassation had not examined the allegations and that they will be assessed in the actual trial. The defence will present its arguments publicly in the evidentiary proceedings.
Thus the case remains open, a court date is still pending. Observers view the case as a test for handling sexual‑violence allegations in professional football.