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Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is set to stand trial on rape charges, according to French prosecutors.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender has been accused by a woman of raping her at his home in Paris in 2023, when she was 24 years old. Hakimi has consistently denied all allegations.
The case was first opened in March 2023 after the public prosecutor's office in Nanterre, a suburb west of Paris, launched a preliminary investigation. Following months of legal proceedings, an investigating judge ordered that the case proceed to trial in February 2026. French media reports indicate that Hakimi's recent attempt to have the case dismissed through an appeal was unsuccessful.
The 27-year-old footballer, who is expected to captain Morocco in their upcoming World Cup group match against Scotland on Friday at 23:00 BST, has publicly responded to the decision and maintains his innocence.
Writing on social media, Hakimi said the justice system had told him, "If you were not famous, there would never have been a case," adding that he chose silence for several years while trusting the legal process. He said he now feels his reputation and family life have been damaged by what he described as a story that is not his, and added that he has been made a target. Hakimi also said he has been waiting for a trial since the beginning and now looks forward to finally speaking in court.
The complainant's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said the decision to proceed to trial brings relief and recognition for her client after more than three years of proceedings. She added that her client had, in her view, faced defamation and public attacks from Hakimi's defence team. Pardo said the trial represents an important step toward accountability in cases involving sexual violence and may help other women come forward.
A trial date has not yet been set.
The case comes as Morocco continue their World Cup campaign, with all group-stage matches taking place in the United States. However, if the team advance to the knockout rounds, Hakimi could face travel complications should fixtures be scheduled in Canada or Mexico due to legal entry restrictions linked to criminal allegations.
Hakimi, who has earned 97 international caps since his debut in 2016, was instrumental in Morocco's historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals. At club level, he joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 and has since won multiple domestic and European honours, including Champions League titles.
