Achraf Hakimi Rape Trial Confirmed After Versailles Court of Appeal Rejects PSG Star’s Bid to Block Criminal Proceedings

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will face a criminal trial on rape charges after the Versailles Court of Appeal dismissed his challenge against an earlier decision to send the case before a criminal court. The ruling, delivered on Friday, marks a significant legal development for the 2025 African Footballer of the Year, who has denied the allegations since they first surfaced in 2023.

According to Pulse Sports, citing a report by RMC Sport, the appeals court upheld the original ruling that Hakimi must face trial, though no date for those proceedings has yet been set. The Moroccan international was indicted, placed under judicial control, and formally sent to trial in February 2026.

The allegations relate to an incident in February 2023, when a woman accused Hakimi of raping her at his home in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt following communication between the two on social media. Hakimi has consistently denied the accusation throughout the legal process.

The alleged victim’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, welcomed the court’s decision. Speaking publicly for the first time in a Mediapart article published on Thursday evening, the alleged victim stated she wants “a trial to defend (herself), to be heard.” She added: “I want to justify myself. I want to be believed.”

Hakimi’s legal representative, Fanny Colin, has repeatedly contested the allegations, arguing that the available evidence does not support a criminal conviction. The defence has pointed to what it describes as inconsistencies in the complainant’s account and has previously argued that key investigative opportunities were not pursued. Colin has characterised the accusation as being “based solely on the word of a woman who obstructs all investigations,” and further claimed 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.”

If convicted of rape under French law, Hakimi could face a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. He remains free to continue his professional activities pending trial.

The ruling arrives at a sensitive moment for both Hakimi and Morocco’s World Cup campaign. The 27-year-old right-back is captaining the Atlas Lions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Morocco drew 1-1 against five-time World Cup champions Brazil in their most recent group stage fixture, and are set to face Scotland — currently top of Group C — later today at Gillette Stadium in Boston.

Hakimi has been one of the most prominent players at the tournament, bringing considerable attention to Morocco’s campaign. The legal proceedings are now expected to cast a prolonged shadow over his career in the months ahead, even as the trial date remains unconfirmed.