Morocco star Achraf Hakimi, PSG star, must appear in court

The 27-year-old Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi, who has won the Champions League twice with Paris Saint-Germain, must appear in court in France after his defence's appeal was rejected by the French Court of Cassation.

Judicial Decision

The highest French court in Paris dismissed the defence's claim, so the case will now continue before the criminal court of Nanterre near Paris. A date for the oral hearing has not yet been set. The confirmation came from the Court of Appeal of Versailles, which confirmed the decision on Wednesday.

The allegation dates back to 2023: a 24-year-old woman claims that Hakimi raped her in February 2023 in his Paris apartment. She met the football star in January 2023 via Instagram and took a taxi to his place on 24 February.

According to her statement, she was kissed in the apartment and touched without consent before the alleged rape took place. The following day she went to the police and filed a report. Hakimi was charged on 2 March 2023 and has denied the accusations since the start of the proceedings.

Reactions and Background

During the summer World Cup, Hakimi was frequently booed by spectators, especially with every ball contact in the match against Scotland. The case has sparked loud protests on social media and in the stadium.

Lawyer Rachel‑Flore Pardo said: “After three and a half years of legal battles, my client will finally receive justice and will fight until the end.” The prosecution representative Bertrand Périer added: “This decision reflects the solidity and strictness of the appellate court’s reasoning.”

Hakimi, born in Madrid and later a Moroccan citizen, was previously a defender at Borussia Dortmund before moving to Paris Saint-Germain. He remains captain of the Moroccan national team and strongly denies the allegations.