PSG's Achraf Hakimi to stand trial after assault allegation

Footballer Achraf Hakimi, the Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco international defender, has been ordered to stand trial in a French court following a rape allegation dating back to 2023, multiple news outlets have reported. 

As per the reports, the accusation stems from an incident alleged to have taken place in February 2023 at Hakimi’s home in a suburb of Paris, when a then 24-year-old woman claimed she was raped.

Additionally, Hakimi has denied the allegation, calling the accusation false and saying he “calmly awaits this trial, which will allow the truth to come out publicly”. The defender made the comments in a post on his social media account, emphasising that an accusation alone is sufficient in the French legal system to justify a trial. 

Aujourd’hui une accusation de viol suffit à justifier un procès alors même que je la conteste et que tout démontre qu’elle est fausse. C’est aussi injuste pour les innocents que pour les victimes sincères. J’attends avec calme ce procès qui permettra que la vérité éclate…

— Achraf Hakimi (@AchrafHakimi) February 24, 2026

Preliminary charges had already been brought against Hakimi in March 2023, after the Nanterre prosecutor’s office opened an investigation. In France, preliminary charges indicate that a judge believes there are reasonable grounds for suspicion but allows further inquiry before committing a case to trial. Prosecutors confirmed this week that the case has now been sent to trial, though no dates have been announced. 

 Reports also suggest that Hakimi’s legal team has criticised the decision, arguing the accusation is based solely on the woman’s testimony and highlighting that she allegedly refused to undergo medical examinations, DNA tests or provide access to her mobile phone or a key witness’s identity factors Hakimi’s lawyer says undermined the investigation. The defence has indicated it plans to appeal the order for trial. 

Meanwhile, the woman’s attorney welcomed the decision, stating that it was consistent with the evidence compiled during the long-running process and that her client felt “a sense of relief” that the matter would be examined in court. 

The legal development comes as PSG prepare for key fixtures, including a Champions League playoff match against AS Monaco, with Hakimi still named in the squad list. PSG coach Luis Enrique declined to comment on how the situation might affect team plans, saying that the matter is in the hands of the judicial system. 

Hakimi, one of the world’s most recognised full-backs, has won multiple domestic and European honours with PSG and was a key figure in Morocco’s historic run to the FIFA World Cup semi-finals in 2022.