Achraf Hakimi to stand trial in rape case as French Court Rejects Appeal ahead of World Cup Clash
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco star Achraf Hakimi will go on trial for raping a woman after the French appeals court ruled the case can be taken forward. That comes hours before Morocco is due to play Scotland on Saturday in a match that is of great significance in the World Cup group stage, and this means it puts one of the country’s most influential football players in the national team and one of the most influential football stars under pressure both on and off the pitch.
According to the French media, Hakimi had challenged a February ruling by an investigative judge that the case should proceed to trial. Public prosecutors had also recommended that the matter be heard in court. But the Versailles appeals court dismissed the footballer’s appeal and gave him a trial.
The case dates back to March 2023, when a 24-year-old woman accused Hakimi of raping her in his home in a suburb of Paris. France’s prosecutors put the Moroccan international on preliminary charges and the French government launched a vast probe.
Rachel-Flore Pardo, lead lawyer for the complainant, said that this ruling was very important for her client after so many years in court.
She said the court’s decision brought relief to her client and she felt as if she had finally felt she had a voice in the justice system and would now have the opportunity to present her case before a trial court.
"Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have her case heard at trial," said Pardo.
And she hopes the case could have a more general dimension beyond the courtroom.
“Hoping that this trial will help other women and further weaken the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including in the world of men’s football,” she added.
Hakimi, however, has vehemently denied the charges and has welcomed a trial. “My fame was a big part of the case that was going forward,” the Moroccan defender said on social media platform X.
“Justice looked me in the eye and told me: If you were not famous, there would never have been a case,” Hakimi wrote.
The defender also explained why he had largely remained silent during the investigation.
“I chose to keep silent for years. I was dignified, patient and if I was willing to keep my head down and wait for the justice system to make the right decisions, it would lead to the right outcomes.”
Hakimi also said that he had wanted a trial from the start and is now eager for the proceedings to start.
“I have been waiting for this trial since the first day. And I am now waiting for it impatiently.”
"Finally, I will be able to speak,” he said.
Hakimi’s lawyer Fanny Collin was critical of the court’s decision and said the investigation provided significant evidence favorable to her client. Under normal circumstances, “the findings would have resulted in dismissal,” she said.
Collin also said there were contradictions and inconsistencies in the complainant’s statements and questioned the credibility of some of the allegations. The defense felt many aspects of the investigation should have prevented the case from going to trial, she said.
Hakimi is still a key figure for Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain and has been the man of the hour for Morocco in international football.
The trial date is under wraps for this case but such a decision is a first for the case and it’s a big deal with Hakimi being one of the biggest stars in football.
Moroccan football will continue to have to face the legal challenge in their World Cup campaign after a 1-1 tie with Brazil in their opening game and the legal issue will still be another big talking point as Morocco continues to go through its World Cup in the midst of a very big deal with one of the major players at the top of the tournament and one of the most important players.
