French prosecutors have formally requested that Moroccan football star Achraf Hakimi be brought to trial over a rape allegation stemming from February 2023. The 26-year-old Paris Saint-Germain defender is accused of sexually assaulting a 24-year-old woman at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt, a Paris suburb.
The Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed Friday that it has submitted its recommendation to the investigating judge, who now holds the power to decide whether the case proceeds to a criminal court.
The incident, which allegedly occurred while Hakimi’s wife and children were away, followed weeks of online interaction between Hakimi and the woman via Instagram. She reportedly traveled by taxi,arranged and paid for by the footballer to his residence, where she later claimed he initiated non-consensual sexual contact.
Though the woman did not file a formal complaint, she provided a detailed account to police, prompting prosecutors to take action.
Hakimi’s legal team has rejected the allegations and criticized the latest development. His lawyer, Fanny Colin, described the prosecution’s recommendation as “incomprehensible,” insisting the case lacks sufficient evidence to proceed.
She reiterated that the footballer remains composed and committed to defending his innocence, suggesting they will explore every legal option if the judge moves forward with a trial.
Colin also suggested that Hakimi is being targeted by what she called an attempted extortion. This claim, however, was swiftly dismissed by the woman’s attorney, Rachel-Flore Pardo, who said her client was relieved by the prosecutors’ stance and warned against any form of character attacks or intimidation. “We will not tolerate smear campaigns,” Pardo said, emphasizing the emotional and legal courage it takes for women to report such incidents.
Hakimi has enjoyed a meteoric rise in world football, having played for top clubs including Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and Inter Milan before joining PSG in 2021. His on-field heroics include scoring in PSG’s historic Champions League final win and helping Morocco reach the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup ,marking a first for both Africa and the Arab world.
