What's happened
Versailles appeals court has ordered a criminal court to hear the rape case against PSG defender Achraf Hakimi, with the trial date to be announced. Hakimi denies wrongdoing and says he is ready to speak. The development comes as Morocco prepares for a World Cup match against Scotland.
What's behind the headline?
Background context
- The case dates to 2023; the complainant alleges rape at Hakimi’s home in a Paris suburb.
- Hakimi has consistently denied the allegations and has remained with Morocco at the World Cup.
What changed
- The Versailles appeals court has ordered a criminal court to hear the case, progressing toward a trial.
What this means for the reader
- A trial could set a precedent on how sexual-violence cases are treated in high-profile athletes’ cases.
Next steps
- A trial date has not yet been announced; further updates will come as the court schedules proceedings.
How we got here
Hakimi, a world-class right back, is facing preliminary rape charges from a 2023 incident in a Paris suburb. The case has dragged on for years, with legal arguments continuing up to the Versailles appeals court decision shortly before Morocco’s Group C game against Scotland.
Our analysis
AP News, Al Jazeera, The Associated Press, Independent Business — all report the Versailles decision and Hakimi’s statements; Reuters notes comment gaps.
Go deeper
- Will the trial date be announced soon?
- What could a verdict mean for Hakimi and his club?
- How has the case affected discussions on sexual violence in football?
More on these topics
-
Achraf Hakimi - Footballer
Achraf Hakimi Mouh is a professional footballer who plays as a full-back for Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain and the Morocco national team. Mainly a right-back or right wing-back, he can also play on the left or as a winger. Born and raised in Spain, he
-
France - Country in Europe
France, officially the French Republic, is a country consisting of metropolitan France in Western Europe and several overseas regions and territories.
-
Morocco - Country in North Africa
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to th
-
Associated Press - News agency company
The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association. Its members are U.S. newspapers and broadcasters.
-
Paris Saint-Germain F.C. - Football club
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club, commonly referred to as Paris Saint-Germain, Paris SG, or simply Paris or PSG, is a French professional football club based in Paris. They compete in Ligue 1, the top division of French football.