Morocco's World Cup captain to stand trial for alleged rape
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape, French prosecutors have confirmed.
A woman accused the Paris St-Germain defender of raping her at his home in the French capital in 2023, when she was aged 24.
The public prosecutor’s office in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris, began a preliminary investigation in March 2023.
An investigating judge ordered a trial in February 2026 and French media report that Hakimi, 27, failed with a recent appeal to have the trial dismissed.
Hakimi, who is set to lead his side out for their second World Cup fixture against Scotland on Friday (23:00 BST), has consistently denied the accusations.
“The justice system looked me in the eye and said, ‘If you weren’t famous, there would never have been a case,'” Hakimi wrote on social media on Friday.
“I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that maintaining my dignity, being patient, and trusting in the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.
“Today, a story that isn’t mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. I sometimes 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.”
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