Morocco and Paris-Saint Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial on allegations of sexual assault after a French court rejected his appeal against the indictment. The charges stem from an incident that allegedly took place at his home in February 2023, following a complaint filed by a young woman with local authorities. According to the complaint, Hakimi allegedly engaged in nonconsensual touching before committing the sexual assault.

Hakimi asserts his innocence

Hakimi has publicly denied the accusations on a number of occasions, most recently on social media on Friday, hours before Morocco are due to take on Scotland in the 2026 World Cup.

“Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: ‘If you weren’t famous, there never would have been a case,’” Hakimi wrote on X.

“I chose to remain silent for years. I thought that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.

“Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth.

“Sometimes I feel like I’ve become an easy target. I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it.

“Finally, I will be able to speak.”

Prosecutors move forward with case

Last July, the Nanterre prosecutor’s office requested that Hakimi stand trial after determining there was sufficient evidence to proceed. The request was approved by a court in Hauts-de-Seine in February, and a subsequent appeal by the defender was rejected, confirming that the case will now go to trial.

Since the investigation began, Hakimi has maintained his innocence. In a previous interview with the French program Cliqué, he said he had done nothing wrong and described the legal process as damaging to his dignity. Those statements, however, were not considered by the courts, which will now determine whether a sexual assault occurred at the defender’s home three years ago.

Details of the alleged incident

The alleged assault dates back to February 8, 2023. The complainant reportedly visited Hakimi’s home after exchanging messages with him on Instagram. French law classifies the act as rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, leading to a judicial investigation that has now resulted in the indictment.

In December 2023, Hakimi confronted the complainant in a judicial hearing, during which she reaffirmed her allegations. The defender denied the accusations throughout the process, claiming the case was part of a scheme to extract money from him. PSG publicly supported Hakimi, expressing full confidence in the judicial process, according to unofficial statements.

Victim’s lawyer insists assault occurred

The complainant’s lawyer strongly disputes Hakimi’s version of events, asserting that the sexual assault did occur. “The investigation and judicial proceedings have gathered all necessary elements to characterize the rape suffered by my client. Nothing in this file suggests even a minor attempt at blackmail. Mr. Hakimi is trying to create a distraction, which is common in sexual violence cases. But it does not hold up,” she said.

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