OMM Redaksiyası
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape after France’s highest court rejected his appeal on Wednesday, according to The Athletic.
The Court of Cassation confirmed that it had dismissed Hakimi’s appeal, exhausting his legal avenues to have the case thrown out. The trial will be held at a criminal court in the Hauts-de-Seine department west of Paris and could take place next year.
Hakimi denies allegations
Hakimi, 27, has consistently denied the allegations. The case concerns an alleged incident at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt on February 25, 2023.
A woman who had been communicating with the footballer on Instagram alleged that Hakimi assaulted her after she visited his home. He was charged with rape on March 2, 2023.
Hakimi initially sought to have the charge dismissed, but the Versailles Court of Appeal rejected his appeal on June 19.
Defence and accuser prepare for trial
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, said the allegations had not been examined by the Court of Cassation and would be addressed during the trial, where the defence would present its evidence.
The accuser’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said her client remained determined to seek justice after more than three years of legal proceedings.
Hakimi, who captained Morocco during the 2026 World Cup, is among 30 nominees for next month’s Ballon d’Or award ceremony in London. The Ballon d’Or is widely regarded as football’s most prestigious individual honour.
PSG has previously said it supports Hakimi, who has “firmly denied the accusations”, and expressed confidence in the French justice system.
