Morocco captain Hakimi to stand trial for rape

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape, French prosecutors have confirmed. A woman accused the Paris St-Germain defender of raping her at his home in Paris in 2023, when she was aged 24. The public prosecutor's office in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris, began a preliminary investigation in March 2023. An investigating judge ordered a trial in February 2026, and French media report that Hakimi, 27, failed with a recent appeal to have the trial dismissed.

Hakimi denies accusations, awaits trial

Hakimi, who is set to lead his side out for their second World Cup fixture against Scotland on Friday (23:00 BST), has consistently denied the accusations. In a social media post on Friday, he wrote: "The justice system looked me in the eye and said, 'If you weren't famous, there would never have been a case.' I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that maintaining my dignity, being patient, and trusting in the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made. Today, a story that isn't mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. I sometimes feel like I've become an easy target. I've been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I'm eagerly awaiting it. Finally, I'll be able to speak."

Plaintiff's lawyer responds

Rachel-Flore Pardo, the plaintiff's lawyer, said in a statement: "After more than three years of legal proceedings, and after my client was, in her view, defamed and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi's defence, this decision brings her relief and hope. Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have the right to a trial. Hope that this trial will help other women and further weaken the wall of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including in the world of men's football."

World Cup implications

A date has not yet been set for the start of the trial. All three of Morocco's group stage fixtures are being held in the United States, where the team are currently based. But should Morocco progress to the knockout stages, Hakimi could face difficulties in entering Canada or Mexico if their matches are scheduled outside the United States. Last week, Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey missed his country's opener against Panama after being denied entry to World Cup co-hosts Canada. Partey, 32, has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of rape and one count of sexual assault relating to allegations by four different women between 2020 and 2022. He is due to stand trial next year. Canada's government website states that they can deny entry to any person that has "committed or been convicted of a crime". The World Cup is being held across all three co-host countries until the quarter-final stage, when it will be held exclusively in the US.

Hakimi's career

Hakimi, who has won 97 caps for Morocco, made his international debut in 2016 at the age of 17. He was a key figure in the Morocco side that became the first African nation to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2022. The defender joined Paris St-Germain from Inter Milan in 2021, and has won 13 pieces of silverware during his time at the club, including back-to-back Champions League titles in the past two seasons.