Achraf Hakimi will indeed sit in the dock, after his latest legal appeal was rejected by the Versailles Court of Appeal. The Moroccan international from Paris Saint-Germain, a key figure both at his club and in the national team, learned this Friday that he will have to stand trial for the rape allegation that has been hanging over him since 2023. The judicial decision, which many considered unlikely given the player’s notoriety and media power, surprised fans, commentators, and even members of the PSG squad itself.
The events date back to February 25, 2023, in the suburbs of Paris, when a 24-year-old woman allegedly reported being raped by Hakimi at the footballer’s residence. Since then, the defender has categorically denied all accusations, remaining publicly silent until the decision now announced. However, the French court deemed the arguments presented by the defense insufficient and rejected the appeal that sought to avoid the trial, thus giving the green light to the legal proceedings that could shake not only the athlete’s career but also his global image.
This news is shaking the international football world, especially at a time when Hakimi is focused on the Moroccan national team, which is involved in the qualification matches for the 2026 World Cup. The imminent trial brings direct consequences for PSG, which sees one of its undisputed starters involved in a scandal of media proportions. Additionally, the pressure on the Parisian locker room is already subject to constant scrutiny from the press and fans. For the Moroccan federation, the situation is equally sensitive, as it could even have implications for Hakimi’s call-up for future international commitments, depending on the course of the process.
Immediately after learning of the court’s decision, Hakimi broke his silence and took to social media to express his dismay and indignation. The player wrote on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter): “Justice looked me in the eyes and told me: ‘If I weren’t famous, there would never have been a case.’ I chose to remain silent for years. I thought that maintaining dignity, being patient, and trusting in justice would allow the right decisions to be made.” In a second post, he insisted: “Today, a story is being told that is not mine, to the detriment of my family, my life, and, above all, the truth. Sometimes, I feel like I have become an easy target. I have been waiting for this trial since day one. And from now on, I await it with impatience. Finally, I will be able to speak.” These statements, marked by a tone of frustration and defiance, seem to reveal the accumulated tension throughout the process and the athlete’s desire to see the situation clarified.
It is worth noting that over the past year, the case has been closely followed by both the French and international media, with various reactions from figures close to the player. A friend of the defender recently revealed that Hakimi “feels deceived” after the accusation, while the footballer’s wife also broke her silence, highlighting the devastating impact that this entire process has had on their family life. Hakimi himself, in previous statements, had already warned that “in the world of football, there are many people who take advantage of us,” in a clear allusion to the risk of public figures becoming targets of serious accusations.
The trial of Achraf Hakimi promises to be one of the most high-profile cases in recent years within the sports world, with the potential to create shockwaves in European and global football. PSG will now have to carefully assess the management of their squad and the media exposure of the case, and may even be forced to make drastic decisions should new revelations arise. Meanwhile, the Moroccan national team is facing uncertainty regarding the availability of the defender for their upcoming commitments, at a crucial time in the World Cup qualifying process.
In the coming months, all eyes will be on the French court, where Hakimi will finally be able to present his version of events before the justice system. In the meantime, the footballer remains active, but the pressure on his career and reputation has never been more intense. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly shape not only Hakimi’s future but also the way football handles accusations of this nature, in a context where transparency and justice have become unavoidable watchwords.
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