Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain defender facing trial over an alleged rape case, appeared before the Versailles Court of Appeal on Friday seeking to have the case dismissed, according to a source close to the matter.
The hearing, held west of Paris, focused on the 27-year-old Morocco international’s appeal against the decision to send him to trial on rape charges.
A ruling on the appeal is expected on June 19, when Hakimi is expected to be participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Morocco, the source said.
Should the appeal fail and the charges remain unchanged, the footballer will stand trial on a date yet to be fixed.
The case stems from allegations made in February 2023 by a 24-year-old woman who told police in the Val-de-Marne region, southeast of Paris, that Hakimi raped her at his home.
Following the complaint, Hakimi was formally charged and placed under judicial supervision. In February this year, French authorities decided the case should proceed to trial.
Hakimi has consistently denied the allegations.
His lawyer, Fanny Colin, declined to comment after Friday’s hearing. However, during earlier proceedings, she argued that the accusation relied solely on the complainant’s account and claimed the woman refused medical examinations, DNA testing and cooperation with parts of the investigation.
According to police sources, the complainant said she met Hakimi through Instagram in January 2023 before visiting his residence in a taxi allegedly arranged by the player.
She alleged that Hakimi kissed and touched her without consent before raping her. The woman said she managed to push him away and contacted a friend, who later picked her up.
Hakimi joined PSG from Inter Milan in 2021 after previous spells with Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.
He was a key figure in Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, making the Atlas Lions the first African and Arab nation to reach the last four of the tournament.
Hakimi is also expected to feature for PSG when the French champions face Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League final on May 30 in Budapest.
AFP
