Moroccan and Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi will stand trial over an alleged rape case after a French appeals court upheld a decision to send the matter to a criminal court.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, relates to allegations made by a woman who accused the Morocco captain and Paris Saint-Germain defender of raping her in 2023. Hakimi has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
According to French media reports, the woman, who was 24 at the time, told police in the Val-de-Marne region near Paris that the incident occurred in February 2023 after the pair had connected through Instagram.
Investigators alleged that the woman travelled to Hakimi’s home in a taxi arranged by the player. She later claimed he kissed and touched her without consent before raping her. The woman said she managed to push him away and contacted a friend, who came to collect her.
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A trial date has not yet been announced by authorities in the Hauts-de-Seine department, where the case is expected to be heard.
Shortly after the court’s decision, Hakimi reacted on social media, saying he had been “waiting for this trial since day one”.
“At last, I’ll be able to speak,” the Morocco international wrote.
His lawyer, Fanny Colin, maintained that the ruling should not be interpreted as proof of guilt.
“This confirmation was expected. Nothing here says that he is guilty of anything; he remains steadfast in his defence,” she said.
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said the decision provided her client with “relief and hope”.
The woman, who recently spoke publicly under the pseudonym Jeanne in an interview with Mediapart, said she wanted the matter to proceed to trial so her account could be heard.
“I want to explain myself. I want people to believe me,” she said.
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The development comes while Hakimi is representing Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Atlas Lions preparing for their Group C clash against Scotland. The court process, however, remains separate from his football activities, and the defender continues to deny the allegations against him.
