PSG Player Achraf Hakimi Ordered to Stand Trial for Alleged Rape

Paris Saint-Germain Star Achraf Hakimi to Stand Trial as Legal Case Moves Forward

The news landed heavily in Paris and far beyond it. Achraf Hakimi, one of the standout performers for Paris Saint-Germain in recent seasons, has been ordered to stand trial for alleged rape, following a decision confirmed by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.

The Morocco international, 27, will face proceedings before the criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine in connection with accusations stemming from February 2023. Both the prosecutor’s office and Hakimi’s legal team have acknowledged that the case is moving to trial, marking a significant development in a story that has lingered in the background of French football for more than two years.

As with any case of this magnitude, the legal process now takes precedence. The court will determine the facts. Until then, the allegations remain contested, and Hakimi continues to deny wrongdoing.

Accusations Against the PSG Player

The case centres on an allegation that Hakimi raped a 24-year-old woman at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris, on February 25, 2023. According to reports in French media, the woman later approached police, prompting the Nanterre prosecutor’s office to open an investigation.

Hakimi was subsequently placed under formal investigation, a legal status in France that indicates serious or consistent evidence but does not equate to a finding of guilt. After months of inquiries, prosecutors have now determined that the case should proceed to trial.

The decision to refer the matter to the Hauts-de-Seine criminal court does not represent a verdict; it signals that judges believe the evidence merits full examination in open court.

The gravity of the charge ensures that scrutiny will be intense — legally, publicly, and within the sporting world.

Hakimi “Calmly Awaits” Trial

Hakimi responded publicly after the trial order was confirmed, taking to social media to reiterate his denial.

“Today, an accusation of rape is enough to justify a trial even though I contest it and everything demonstrates that it is false,” he wrote. “I calmly await this trial which will allow the truth to come out publicly.”

The tone was measured. Not defiant, but firm.

Throughout the investigation, Hakimi has maintained his innocence. In previous interviews, including one with French broadcaster Canal+, he described the accusation as the “hardest blow” he has ever suffered.

“For me, it’s the hardest thing that’s ever happened to me,” he said. “When they keep telling lie after lie, it hurts. It hurts for my family, for my children.”

He emphasised that he had cooperated fully with authorities, stating that he made himself available whenever requested and provided DNA samples as part of the inquiry.

His legal counsel, Fanny Colin, has also publicly defended him, arguing that the case rests solely on the complainant’s account and highlighting what she described as a refusal by the accuser to undergo certain investigative procedures.

These claims and counterclaims will now be tested in court.

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The Legal Context

In France, referral to criminal trial follows a judicial investigation overseen by an examining magistrate. This phase is designed to gather evidence impartially before determining whether sufficient grounds exist to proceed.

The move to trial suggests that prosecutors believe the case warrants adjudication. It does not imply a presumption of guilt.

For Hakimi, the coming months will involve legal preparation and, inevitably, public attention. High-profile athletes rarely navigate such proceedings quietly.

The broader sporting community has become increasingly attuned to how allegations of sexual violence are handled. Transparency, due process, and respect for all parties involved remain central principles.

Hakimi’s Career at PSG

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Off the pitch, the headlines are stark. On it, Hakimi has been one of the defining figures of PSG’s recent era.

A product of Real Madrid’s academy, Hakimi broke into senior football with composure and pace that immediately set him apart. A loan spell at Inter Milan further sharpened his game, culminating in a Serie A title.

In 2021, PSG secured his services in a transfer worth approximately €58 million. Since arriving in Paris, he has delivered 66 goal contributions across 194 appearances — impressive numbers for a full-back.

His attacking thrust down the right flank has become a tactical weapon. Quick overlaps, intelligent underlapping runs, and the ability to recover defensively at pace make him one of the modern game’s most dynamic defenders.

He has lifted multiple Ligue 1 titles and played a part in PSG’s European ambitions, including their Champions League success during his tenure.

Footballing merit, however, now sits alongside legal uncertainty.

International Standing with Morocco

At international level, Hakimi has long been a cornerstone for Morocco national football team.

With 93 caps to his name, he has represented his country at World Cups and continental tournaments, becoming a symbol of Moroccan pride. His leadership qualities and attacking flair have helped Morocco compete with some of the world’s strongest nations.

Most recently, he played a key role in Morocco’s run to the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they fell to Senegal national football team after extra time.

Such achievements underscore the dual reality he now faces: celebrated athlete and defendant in a criminal trial.

Impact on PSG and the Broader Game

For PSG, the situation presents both legal and reputational challenges. Clubs in similar scenarios often adopt a cautious approach, allowing the judicial process to unfold while refraining from extensive public comment.

French football authorities have not announced sporting sanctions, and under principles of due process, no disciplinary action is automatic in the absence of a conviction.

Still, the case will inevitably draw attention whenever Hakimi takes the field. Every appearance may be accompanied by renewed debate.

Football does not exist in isolation from society. Cases of alleged sexual violence are serious matters that demand careful, responsible reporting and thorough judicial examination.

Waiting for the Courtroom

As the matter transitions from investigation to trial, the emphasis shifts firmly to the courtroom.

Hakimi has stated repeatedly that he welcomes the opportunity to clear his name publicly. Prosecutors, for their part, will present the evidence they believe supports the charge.

The court will weigh testimony, forensic findings, and procedural details before reaching a verdict.

Until then, it is crucial to recognise the presumption of innocence that underpins legal systems across Europe.

A Career at a Crossroads

For Achraf Hakimi, this period represents a profound personal and professional crossroads.

On one side stands a decorated career: Champions League nights in Paris, league titles, international milestones. On the other, a legal battle that carries serious consequences.

How the trial unfolds will shape not only his immediate future but also his legacy within the sport.

Football careers are often defined by trophies and moments. Yet sometimes, they are shaped just as powerfully by events away from the pitch.

Now, as PSG’s player Achraf Hakimi prepares to stand trial for alleged rape, the focus turns from stadium lights to the measured deliberations of a criminal court — where facts, not speculation, will determine what comes next.