Achraf Hakimi, the 27-year-old Paris Saint-Germain right-back, has been the subject of a rape investigation since late 2023, following a report made to the judicial police by a woman who was 23 at the time of the alleged incident. The Nanterre public prosecutor’s office had requested that he be sent to trial, a move the player appealed. However, the Versailles Court of Appeal rejected the appeal. The Moroccan international subsequently sought to appeal to the Court of Cassation—France’s highest court—but that appeal was also dismissed, as reported by Le Parisien.
“No trial date has been set yet”
On Wednesday, September 23, the Court of Cassation confirmed that the Moroccan footballer would stand trial for rape. Bertrand Périer, the complainant’s lawyer, announced the news in a statement, explaining that the high court had “rejected Achraf Hakimi’s appeal, ruling that there were no serious grounds to warrant its admission.”
No trial date has been set yet. The PSG player, who faces a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, has not yet commented.
There are no further avenues within the French legal system to challenge the trial, so it is set to proceed. It is important to note that this does not imply guilt on Hakimi’s part; however, all parties will be heard, and all evidence will be examined. We must await the outcome of the judicial process for greater clarity. Nevertheless, a turbulent period lies ahead for the PSG and Morocco full-back.
