Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi will face trial in France after the country's highest judicial court rejected his appeal against his referral to trial. The Court of Cassation dismissed Hakimi's appeal on Wednesday, confirming his referral to the departmental criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine over allegations of rape involving a woman in February 2023.
The case concerns allegations made by a woman who said she was sexually assaulted at Hakimi's home in Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris, in February 2023. Hakimi has consistently denied the allegations and has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The decision follows several stages in the case, including an investigating judge ordering Hakimi to stand trial in February.
Hakimi challenged the decision, but the Versailles Court of Appeal confirmed his referral on June 19. He subsequently appealed to the Court of Cassation, which has now rejected his final challenge to the referral. The court's ruling does not determine his guilt or innocence, but rather allows the case to proceed to trial.
Following the June decision, Hakimi said he was looking forward to the trial, stating that he would finally have the opportunity to present his side of the case publicly. A specific date for the trial has not yet been announced. Hakimi's appeal to the Court of Cassation was a legal challenge to the decision to send him to trial.
The 27-year-old defender has continued his football career during the legal proceedings. He remains a key player for both PSG and Morocco, having also represented the Atlas Lions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hakimi's case has garnered significant attention due to his high-profile status as a football player.
The case will now proceed to trial before the departmental criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine. The Court of Cassation's decision confirms that Hakimi will face trial over the allegations. His legal team had argued that the referral to trial was unjustified, but the court has ruled against them.
Hakimi's trial is set to take place in the coming months, although a specific date has not been announced. The player has maintained his innocence and will have the opportunity to present his case in court. The trial's outcome will have significant implications for Hakimi's career and personal life.
Key points
- The Court of Cassation has rejected Achraf Hakimi's appeal, confirming his referral to trial over rape allegations.
- Hakimi has consistently denied the allegations and will present his side of the case at trial.
- A specific date for the trial has not been announced, but it will take place before the departmental criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine.
