French Court Upholds Rape Charge Against Achraf Hakimi
A court in France has confirmed that Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan defender for Paris Saint-Germain, will stand trial on charges of rape. This decision, communicated by a judicial source, comes after a lengthy legal battle that has drawn significant media attention. The appeals court's ruling, which was issued on June 19, 2026, during the World Cup, stated that the 27-year-old Hakimi would face a criminal court over the allegations stemming from an incident in 2023, which he has consistently denied.
Hakimi attempted to appeal the trial order to the Court of Cassation, the pinnacle of the French judicial system for both civil and criminal cases. This appeal represented his last chance to avoid trial after the Versailles appeals court had upheld the initial ruling in June. The initial charge was brought forth in February, compelling the player to confront the accusations in front of a criminal court located in the Hauts-de-Seine department.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the situation continues to garner media scrutiny. Hakimi's attorney, Fanny Colin, has yet to respond to requests for comments regarding the latest developments. In stark contrast, the plaintiff's legal representative, Rachel-Flore Pardo, expressed her client's determination to seek justice after enduring extensive legal challenges and public scrutiny. Pardo stated, "After three and a half years of legal battles, after being slandered and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi’s defense, my client is determined to obtain justice; she will fight to the very end."
The allegations date back to February 2023 when a then 24-year-old woman reported to authorities in the Val-de-Marne region that Hakimi had raped her. According to police sources, the woman claimed she met Hakimi via Instagram and accepted his invitation to his residence, arriving in a taxi arranged by the player. She recounted that upon arrival, Hakimi kissed her and engaged in unwanted sexual advances before allegedly raping her. The woman reported that she managed to escape by pushing him away and contacted a friend for help, who subsequently came to her aid. Following her report, Hakimi was charged with rape just days later.
As reported by channelstv.com.
