Hakimi to face rape trial in French court during 2026 World Cup period

PARIS, France — French prosecutors have opened a case that will send Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi to trial on rape charges at the Hauts-de-Seine criminal court, his lawyer confirmed to media on Friday. The Versailles Court of Appeal's investigating chamber said the file will be referred to the court in the coming months. The formal notification was delivered to the player while he was with the Moroccan national team at its World Cup training camp, a person close to the case said. The allegations stem from a complaint filed on February 25, 2023, when a woman told Val-de-Marne police that she had been raped by Hakimi the previous day. The complainant later withdrew her complaint during the investigation, and the Nanterre public prosecutor's office took over the case. Hakimi has repeatedly denied the accusations. His lawyers have alleged that the woman attempted to entrap the footballer in an extortion scheme. No trial date has been set, and proceedings remain before the competent court.