Hakimi, 27, is currently representing Morocco at the FIFA World Cup in the United States. The defender has consistently denied wrongdoing since the allegation first emerged and has maintained that he is innocent.
Morocco captain and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in France over a rape allegation dating back to 2023 after a French appeals court rejected his request to have the case dismissed.
The decision means the case will proceed to trial, although French authorities have not yet announced a date for court proceedings.
Hakimi, 27, is currently representing Morocco at the FIFA World Cup in the United States. The defender has consistently denied wrongdoing since the allegation first emerged and has maintained that he is innocent.
In a statement following the court’s decision, Hakimi said he had been seeking a trial from the outset of the case and welcomed the opportunity to present his version of events before a court.
“I have been waiting for this moment from the beginning,” Hakimi said, adding that he looked forward to finally explaining his side of the story during the legal proceedings.
The case stems from allegations made by a woman in 2023. French prosecutors pursued an investigation, leading to judicial proceedings against the footballer. Hakimi’s legal team had sought to have the case dismissed, but the appeals court’s ruling clears the way for a trial.
Neither prosecutors nor the court have indicated when the trial will begin.
Hakimi remains a key figure for both Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain, having helped Morocco achieve historic success on the international stage and established himself as one of the leading right-backs in world football. The upcoming trial is expected to attract significant attention given his high-profile status in the sport.
Under French law, Hakimi is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.