The Investigating Chamber of the Versailles Court of Appeals has rejected Achraf Hakimi’s appeal against the indictment in his rape trial. As a result, the Moroccan national will stand trial.
Achraf Hakimi must stand trial in his adopted country, France, on charges of rape. As the Versailles Court of Appeals announced in a statement on Friday, he must appear before the Criminal Court of the Hauts-de-Seine department. An exact date has not yet been set.
The 27-year-old, who is under contract with Paris Saint-Germain, has consistently denied the allegations. He claims to be the victim of a smear campaign. At a hearing in May, he had requested that the case be dismissed.
Hakimi sees himself as a victim of the justice system
“The justice system looked me in the eye and said to me, ‘If you weren’t famous, there would never have been a case.’ I chose to remain silent for years. I thought it was right to remain dignified, to be patient, and to trust the justice system to make the right decisions,” Hakimi wrote on X immediately after the news was announced: “Today, a story is being told that isn’t mine, 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 eagerly awaiting it. Finally, I’ll be able to speak out.”
A woman, who was 24 at the time, told police in February 2023 that she had been raped by Hakimi. She did not initially file a report. Hakimi’s legal counsel accuses the woman of obstructing the investigation and refusing to undergo medical examinations.
Morocco’s captain, Hakimi, is currently competing in the 2026 World Cup and, as expected, played the full 90 minutes in the first match against Brazil (1–1). The former Dortmund player is one of the North African team’s key players and is considered one of the best right backs in the world. His contract with PSG runs through 2029; the French club has not yet commented on the allegations.
