Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial over an alleged rape case after a French appeals court upheld earlier judicial proceedings against the Moroccan international.
The ruling, delivered by the Versailles Court of Appeal on Friday, marks a significant development in a case that has attracted widespread attention since it first emerged in 2023.
The allegations stem from a complaint filed by a 24-year-old woman, who told police in the Val-de-Marne region, south-east of Paris, that she had been raped by Hakimi in February 2023.
Hakimi, who plays as a right-back for Paris Saint-Germain and captains the Moroccan national team, has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Shortly after the court’s decision was announced, the 27-year-old took to social media platform X to reaffirm his position and express his desire to defend himself in court.
“I have been waiting for this trial since day one. At last, I will be able to speak,” Hakimi wrote.
Despite the appeals court’s decision, no date has yet been set for the commencement of proceedings before the criminal court in the Hauts-de-Seine department.
Hakimi’s legal team maintained that the ruling does not amount to a finding of guilt and stressed that their client remains confident in his defence.
“This confirmation was expected. Nothing here says that he is guilty of anything; he remains steadfast in his defence,” his lawyer, Fanny Colin, said.
The case continues to generate considerable public interest, particularly as Hakimi remains one of Morocco’s most prominent footballers and a key figure at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Under French law, the upcoming trial will allow both the prosecution and defence to present their evidence before a court determines whether the allegations can be substantiated.
