Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is set to stand trial on a rape charge after a French appeals court rejected his attempt to overturn an earlier decision ordering criminal proceedings against him.
The ruling, delivered by the Versailles Court of Appeal on Friday, marks a significant legal setback for the Paris Saint-Germain defender, who has consistently denied the allegations since the case first surfaced in 2023.
Hakimi, who is currently in the United States leading Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, had sought to avoid a criminal trial by appealing the decision to send the case before a court. However, the appeals court upheld the original ruling, clearing the way for a trial at a later date.
According to French media outlet RMC Sport, no date has yet been set for the proceedings.
The case stems from allegations made by a woman who accused the Moroccan international of raping her at his residence in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris, in February 2023. The woman alleged that the incident occurred after the pair had communicated through social media platforms.
Hakimi has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
The latest development comes after the alleged victim spoke publicly for the first time in an interview with investigative outlet Mediapart, published on Thursday. Through her legal representative, Rachel-Flore Pardo, she welcomed the appeals court’s decision and reiterated her desire for the matter to proceed to trial.
The woman stated that she wants “a trial to defend (herself), to be heard.”
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, has continued to challenge the allegations, insisting that the evidence gathered during the investigation does not support a criminal conviction.
In previous statements, the defence argued that the claims contain inconsistencies and questioned the credibility of the accusations.
The legal team further maintained that the “accusation is based solely on the word of a woman who obstructs all investigations” and alleged that the complainant had “tried to conceal from the judicial authority several messages exchanged with one of her friends planning to ‘rob’ (sic) Mr. Hakimi.”
Hakimi was formally indicted, placed under judicial supervision and eventually ordered to stand trial earlier this year. The latest ruling effectively exhausts one of the defender’s key legal avenues to prevent the case from reaching court.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, Hakimi remains available for selection and continues to captain Morocco during the World Cup.
The timing of the decision is particularly significant as the Atlas Lions pursue success on football’s biggest stage. The case is expected to attract considerable attention throughout the tournament, placing one of the competition’s most recognisable stars under increased scrutiny.
Morocco opened their World Cup campaign with a 1-1 draw against five-time champions Brazil and will now turn their attention to a crucial Group C encounter against Scotland later on Friday at Gillette Stadium in Boston.
As the Atlas Lions seek progress in the tournament, Hakimi faces the prospect of a courtroom battle that could become one of the most closely watched legal cases involving a footballer in recent years.
