One of football’s best defenders is about to face his toughest challenge off the pitch.
A French judge has ordered Paris Saint-Germain star Achraf Hakimi to stand trial on rape charges, with the 27-year-old Moroccan international confirming the news himself via social media on Tuesday. The order comes after the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office recommended back in August that the case move forward — and now it officially is.
Hakimi wasted no time going on record. “Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I deny it and everything proves it’s false,” he posted. “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 case traces back to January 2023, when a 24-year-old woman alleged that Hakimi raped her at his home in a Paris suburb after the two connected on Instagram. She claimed he ordered her a taxi to his place, where he then kissed her, touched her without consent, and raped her. She says she was eventually able to push him away and text a friend to come get her. Hakimi was hit with preliminary charges in March 2023, a step in France’s legal system that indicates judges see strong grounds to suspect a crime occurred, but need more time before deciding whether to move toward trial.
His lawyer, Fanny Colin, came out swinging after the decision, arguing the case was built entirely on accusation without corroboration. She says the plaintiff “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,” and that two separate psychological evaluations of the plaintiff showed inconsistencies in her account. Colin has confirmed she plans to appeal the judge’s ruling.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Rachel-Flore Pardo, had a different read. She said her client received the news “with relief,” calling the decision “fully consistent with the evidence in the file.” Pardo also took the moment to put the football world on blast, saying the case is a reminder that the #MeToo movement still hasn’t fully broken through in men’s professional football.
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Meanwhile, PSG coach Luis Enrique was asked point-blank about the situation ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League playoff second leg against Monaco, and kept it brief. “This matter is in the hands of the authorities.” That’s it. That’s the quote.
As of now, no trial date has been set. Hakimi remains in PSG’s squad and was listed for the Monaco match. His lawyer’s appeal means this legal process is far from over.
