Morocco Captain Achraf Hakimi Faces Rape Trial in France After 2023 Accusations

Parisian prosecutors have formally referred Morocco international footballer Achraf Hakimi to trial on rape charges. The case stems from an allegation made in February 2023 by a 24-year-old woman, who reported being raped at the player's residence in Hauts-de-Seine, a western suburb of the French capital.

Hakimi, a prominent defender for Paris Saint-Germain and captain of the Moroccan national side, was questioned by authorities and placed under formal investigation in March 2023. At the time, his lawyer, Fanny Colin, asserted that the allegations were false and that Hakimi maintained his innocence, claiming an attempted extortion.

The specific date for the trial has not yet been announced. Hakimi has consistently denied the accusations since they first emerged. This development places a renewed focus on the legal proceedings surrounding the footballer, who remains a key figure for both his club and country.