Ahead of Champions League Final: Hakimi Appears in French Court to Challenge Rape Allegation
Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi, a Paris Saint-Germain player, appeared this Friday morning before the investigative chamber of the Versailles Court of Appeal. This marks a new legal step through which his defense aims to overturn the decision to refer him to trial on rape charges.
Investigating judges had, on February 24, issued a decision to refer the Paris Saint-Germain player to the regional criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine. This followed a request from the Nanterre prosecutor's office in August 2025 for his trial in connection with the case, which dates back to February 2023.
Hakimi arrived at the Court of Appeal accompanied by his lawyer, Fanny Colin, as observed by French media outlets including BFMTV and RMC Sport. The player remained silent when questioned by journalists, while his lawyer simply stated, “No comment.”
The personal presence of a defendant before the investigative chamber to appeal a referral decision is rare in such procedural hearings. However, Hakimi chose to attend to reaffirm his insistence on his innocence and his rejection of the accusations leveled against him, having previously denied all charges on multiple occasions.
The details of the case date back to February 25, 2023, when a young woman went to the Nogent-sur-Marne police station, asserting that she had been raped. Despite not filing a formal complaint, French authorities initiated an investigation into the matter, leading to Hakimi being charged on March 3, 2023, and placed under judicial supervision.
Hakimi also underwent a confrontation session with the complainant in December 2023, before the investigating judge issued a 21-page order in mid-February, referring him to trial.
These new developments come just a few days before the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, scheduled for May 30 at 5:00 PM (GMT+1).
