Deafening whistles from the Scottish stands did not shake Achraf Hakimi, who, despite being embroiled in a rape allegation and having recently been informed by the French justice system that he will indeed stand trial, shone on the pitch and led Morocco to a 1-0 victory over Scotland in the qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Moroccan coach Mohamed Ouahbi left no room for doubt: the entire group is united and stands behind the captain at a time when media and judicial pressure threatens to destabilize the locker room.
The match took place at the iconic Boston Stadium, where every touch of the ball by Hakimi was met with a wave of boos from the Scottish fans, known as the Tartan Army. The Moroccan international, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain and categorically denies any involvement in the crime he is accused of, saw the Versailles Court of Appeal confirm the decision to bring him to trial for alleged rape, following a complaint made by a 24-year-old woman, allegedly occurring in March 2023, in the outskirts of Paris.
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This case has dominated the European sports and judicial news, placing Hakimi at the center of a media storm. For Morocco, the impact is profound: the captain is a key player, and his potential absence could compromise the national team’s aspirations in the World Cup. But for now, Ouahbi prefers to focus inward and emphasize the group’s resilience. “Did you see the game? I suppose you did. Hakimi was extraordinary, so we are very relaxed, he is very relaxed, and I believe he played very well,” the coach highlighted in statements after the match, assuring that the team is “completely behind him.”
Hakimi took to social media to express his frustration with the legal process, stating that he feels like “an easy target.” Despite the hostile environment created by Scottish fans, he responded on the pitch, urging Moroccans in the stands to raise their voices and turn every chant into a deafening show of support. “He did a good job, because why talk about management? He woke up in the morning, ate like everyone else, was focused, played like everyone else, wanted to play hard, and that’s what he did,” added Ouahbi, emphasizing the normality and professionalism of the right-back.
The coach also made a point to highlight the national dimension of support for the player: “We don’t have to say anything — we’re behind him, he’s very relaxed, and I hope he shows that he is the best right-back in the world. This is important for me, for the players, and for the 44 million Moroccans who are following us.”
On the other side of the barricade, Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer for the alleged victim, reacted to the court’s decision with strong words: her client felt “relief and hope” after more than three years of litigation, but did not hold back in criticizing Hakimi’s defense, accusing them of “defamation and dragging her through the mud.”
With the trial set to proceed, Hakimi’s future remains shrouded in uncertainty. In the immediate term, the Moroccan federation will have to manage the balance between protecting one of its biggest sporting assets and not ignoring the seriousness of the allegations. In sporting terms, the focus will remain on qualification for the World Cup, but every trip, every game, and every public appearance by the captain will inevitably be accompanied by scrutiny and controversy.
The outcome of this case will have implications not only for Hakimi’s career but also for the reputation of the Moroccan national team and for how international football handles criminal justice situations involving its biggest stars. For now, Morocco manages to remain united and effective on the field, but the real test is yet to come, both in the courts and on pitches around the world.
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