Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi is to face trial for rape, the player confirmed on Tuesday, while vehemently denying the accusation. In a social media post, Hakimi stated: “Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I deny it and everything proves it’s false. This is as unjust to the innocent as it is to the genuine victims. I calmly await this trial, which will allow the truth to come out publicly.”
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office opened an investigation in 2023 after a woman alleged that Hakimi raped her at his home in January 2023. The plaintiff claims she met the 27-year-old on Instagram and was taken to his residence in a taxi ordered by the player. She alleges that Hakimi kissed and touched her without consent before raping her, and that she managed to push him away and text a friend for help.
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, criticised the case, saying: “A trial has been ordered on the basis of an accusation that rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations, refused all medical examinations and DNA tests, refused to allow her mobile phone to be examined, and refused to give the name of a key witness.”
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, expressed relief that the case is proceeding to court, but noted that the treatment of such cases in men’s football still lags behind the #MeToo movement. PSG head coach Luis Enrique declined to comment on the matter, stating: “This matter is in the hands of the authorities.”
Hakimi, who joined PSG in 2021 and previously played for Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, was included in the initial squad for Wednesday’s Champions League playoff second leg against Monaco.
