By Asaye Bankole
Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in France after the country’s highest court upheld a decision to prosecute him over an alleged rape dating back to 2023.
The Court of Cassation confirmed on Wednesday that Hakimi’s appeal against the decision to send him to trial had been rejected, according to a judicial source cited by AFP.
Hakimi, 27, has consistently denied the allegation and maintains that he did not commit the offence.
The footballer was initially ordered in February to stand trial before a criminal court in the Hauts-de-Seine department.
He challenged the decision, but the Versailles appeals court upheld the order on June 19.
Hakimi then took the case to the Court of Cassation, the highest court in France for civil and criminal matters. The latest ruling ends his legal challenge against being sent to trial.
The allegations were made by a woman who was 24 at the time of the reported incident. She told police in February 2023 that Hakimi had raped her at his home.
According to information previously provided by a police source, the woman said she met Hakimi through Instagram in January 2023 before travelling to his home in a taxi reportedly arranged by the footballer.
She alleged that Hakimi kissed and touched her without her consent before sexually assaulting her.
She said she managed to push him away and contacted a friend, who subsequently came to collect her.
Hakimi was charged with rape several days after the complaint was made.
Following Wednesday’s ruling, Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, did not immediately respond to AFP’s request for comment.
The complainant’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said her client remained determined to pursue the case and seek justice after what she described as years of legal proceedings.
The case has attracted widespread attention because of Hakimi’s status as a prominent international footballer.
He plays for Paris Saint-Germain and is a key member of the Morocco national team.
The decision to send Hakimi to trial does not amount to a finding of guilt.
The allegations will be examined during the trial, where both the prosecution’s case and Hakimi’s defence will be heard.
Hakimi has continued his professional football career since the allegations emerged and has repeatedly denied wrongdoing.
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