A French appeals court has upheld a decision requiring Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi to stand trial over an alleged rape case dating back to 2023.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender, who also captains Morocco’s national team, has repeatedly denied the allegations and maintains his innocence.
The case stems from a complaint filed by a 24-year-old woman who accused Hakimi of sexually assaulting her after they reportedly connected through Instagram and later met at his residence in early 2023.
According to her account, the encounter became non-consensual, prompting her to contact a friend for assistance. The allegations led to a formal investigation by French authorities.
Following the court’s ruling, Hakimi said he welcomed the opportunity to present his side of the story in court, stating that he had been awaiting the trial since the beginning of the case.
His legal team also emphasized that the ruling does not amount to a finding of guilt and reiterated his intention to challenge the allegations during the trial.
Meanwhile, the complainant’s lawyer described the decision as an important step forward for her client, who has publicly expressed a desire to have her claims heard in court.
A trial date has not yet been announced.
