Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is set to face another international match amid ongoing legal proceedings in a complex rape case that has drawn significant public attention. The 27-year-old defender, a key figure in Morocco’s national team and a two-time Champions League winner with Paris Saint-Germain, has been ordered to stand trial on charges related to an alleged sexual assault dating back to early 2023.
Hakimi’s legal troubles surfaced in 2023 when he was informed he was under investigation for rape. Since then, his defense team has taken an assertive position, asserting that the case is an attempted extortion against the player. The accuser, a woman who was 24 years old at the time of the incident, has strongly denied these claims.
The allegations revolve around interactions that reportedly began through Instagram messages lasting about two weeks. According to the accuser, she visited Hakimi’s home in the early hours after he provided a taxi. She alleges that despite her stated lack of consent, Hakimi kissed her, touched her without permission, and ultimately raped her. Hakimi denies all accusations.
The case is complicated by conflicting statements and evidence involving the accuser and a friend who was in contact with her during the night of the incident. Real-time WhatsApp messages provided to investigators included urgent pleas such as “It’s very serious” and “he’s raping me, I swear on my mother’s life.” However, when police examined the friend’s phone, they uncovered additional messages not shared by the accuser. These messages suggested plans to approach Hakimi’s flat in a “femme fatale mode” and attempts to gain access to the residence using security codes, raising questions about the circumstances.
During court proceedings, the accuser gave an ambiguous explanation about her messages referring to rape, characterizing the statement as “just a figure of speech.” She also said she could not recall what she meant by “very serious” when questioned by the presiding magistrate. This inconsistency has added complexity to the case.
Hakimi’s prominence in football remains substantial, with 98 international appearances and a central role in Morocco’s deep run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar in 2022. Support has come from notable figures including France captain Kylian Mbappe, a former PSG teammate, and Morocco’s manager Mohamed Ouahbi.
French prosecutors have proceeded with the case despite the absence of a formal complaint, consistent with France’s approach since the #MeToo movement to pursue investigations into alleged sexual violence proactively. The investigation escalated when details were leaked to the press, which led to official interviews with the accuser and her friend.
Hakimi has publicly maintained his innocence and expressed eagerness to resolve the matter through the judicial system. The case continues to unfold as legal authorities examine the evidence and testimonies, while public opinion remains divided. Football crowds have shown their sentiments during recent matches, but the judicial system is tasked with delivering an impartial determination based on the facts presented.