PSG star Achraf Hakimi to stand trial after France’s highest court rejects appeal

Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi is set to stand trial for rape after France’s highest court rejected his latest appeal to have the case dismissed (The Athletic).

The Court of Cassation rejected the 27-year-old’s appeal, meaning he has now exhausted his legal attempts to stop the case from going to trial.

The trial will be held at a criminal court in the Hauts-de-Seine department, west of Paris. No date has been confirmed yet, but it could take place next year.

The case relates to an alleged incident at Hakimi’s home in Boulogne-Billancourt on February 25, 2023.

The woman involved reportedly communicated with Hakimi through Instagram before visiting his home. 

She later accused him of rape, and he was formally charged five days after the alleged incident, although Hakimi has consistently denied the allegation.

Hakimi’s defence team first tried to have the case thrown out, but the Court of Appeal of Versailles rejected the appeal on June 19. 

He then took the matter to the Court of Cassation, which has now dismissed his final appeal.

In June, Hakimi said he stayed silent while trusting the legal process. He added that he had been waiting for the trial and would eventually give his side of the story.

The accuser’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said her client was determined to seek justice after three and a half years of legal proceedings.

“Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape,” she said. 

“After three and a half years of legal proceedings, after being slandered and dragged through the mud by Hakimi’s defence, my client is determined to obtain justice and will fight to the very end.”

In response, Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, said the Court of Cassation didn’t examine the substance of the allegations and that the evidence supporting his defence would be presented during the trial. 

She added that Hakimi had cooperated with police and judicial authorities throughout the process.

Hakimi is one of 30 players nominated for this year’s Ballon d’Or after a remarkable campaign in which he helped PSG win five major titles, including the Champions League.