Achraf Hakimi rape trial: Allegations against PSG footballer explained

Paris Saint-Germain full-back Achraf Hakimi says he will stand trial following an allegation of rape. 

The 27-year-old Morocco international denies any wrongdoing and has welcomed the opportunity to attempt to clear his name.

A date for the trial is yet to be set.

Here, we break down the allegations against Hakimi, his response and what happens next.

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Rape allegation against Achraf Hakimi, explained

The case relates to an alleged incident from February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman claimed Hakimi assaulted her.

The plaintiff said she met Hakimi via Instagram in January 2023 and the footballer ordered her a taxi to his house. She claimed he kissed her, touched her without consent, and raped her. 

The Nanterre prosecutor's office, which has jurisdiction for the suburb of Paris where the attack is alleged to have taken place, opened an investigation in 2023 and confirmed on Tuesday that Hakimi would stand trial, as per The Guardian.

Achraf Hakimi response to rape allegation

On Tuesday, February 24, Hakimi stated via his X account that the case would be going to trial.

"Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I contest it and everything proves that it is false," he wrote in French. "It is as unfair to the innocent as it is to sincere victims. I await this trial calmly, which will allow the truth to come out publicly."

The plaintiff's lawyer shared a statement with the Associated Press, expressing "relief" that the case had been sent to trial and noting this was "fully consistent with the evidence file".

The statement added: "There are still circles where the MeToo movement has not broken the sound barrier, with the world of men's football at the forefront."

Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, said: "A trial has been ordered on the basis of an accusation that rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations, refused all medical examinations and DNA tests, refused to allow her mobile phone to be examined, and refused to give the name of a key witness."

Asked about the situation ahead of his team's Champions League playoff second leg against Monaco, PSG head coach Luis Enrique said: "This is in the hands of the justice system." Hakimi scored in the 3-2 first-leg win and started the weekend league victory over Metz.