Achraf Hakimi Trial Ordered Over February 2023 Rape Allegation

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi faces a trial following a February 2023 rape allegation made by a 24-year-old woman.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will face an Achraf Hakimi trial following an order from a prosecutor in the Nanterre suburb of Paris. The Morocco international was hit with preliminary charges of rape in March 2023 after a then 24-year-old woman alleged he assaulted her at his residence in south east Paris during February 2023. Under the French legal framework, these preliminary charges indicated that judges found strong reason to suspect a crime occurred, allowing for an extended investigation period before the recent decision to commit the case to trial.

Fanny Colin, the legal representative for the PSG vice-captain, confirmed the trial order alongside French authorities. Hakimi has maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings, utilizing the social media platform X to state that he will "allow the truth to come out publicly." The athlete characterized the current judicial situation as unjust to both innocent parties and genuine victims while asserting that he calmly awaits the upcoming courtroom proceedings to clear his name.

Evidence Disputes and Legal Defense Arguments

Defense attorney Fanny Colin has challenged the basis of the Achraf Hakimi trial, arguing that the accusation rests entirely on the testimony of a single individual. According to Colin, the plaintiff obstructed multiple facets of the investigation, including a refusal to undergo medical examinations or DNA testing. The defense further alleges that the accuser denied investigators access to her mobile phone and failed to provide the identity of a key witness relevant to the events of February 2023.

Two separate psychological assessments of the plaintiff were conducted during the investigative phase. Colin maintains that these evaluations highlighted a lack of clarity regarding the alleged facts and noted an absence of post-traumatic symptoms. The defense suggests that the trial was ordered despite these findings, emphasizing that in the current legal climate, an accusation alone can be sufficient to justify a full judicial hearing.

Plaintiff Response and Me Too Movement Context

Rachel-Flore Pardo, representing the woman who made the allegation, told the Associated Press that her client received the news of the trial order with a sense of relief. Pardo asserted that the decision to move forward is fully consistent with the evidence contained within the official file. The legal representative praised the justice system for its handling of the case thus far, describing the investigation as exemplary in its thoroughness.

In a broader statement regarding the culture of professional sports, Pardo remarked that the affair highlights environments where the Me Too movement has struggled to make an impact. She specifically identified the world of men's professional football as a sector where the "sound barrier" of accountability has not yet been fully broken. This perspective contrasts sharply with the defense's narrative of a flawed investigation based on uncooperative testimony.

Impact on Paris Saint-Germain and Team Leadership

Ahead of a scheduled match against Monaco, PSG head coach Luis Enrique addressed the media regarding Hakimi’s status within the squad. When questioned on Tuesday about whether the trial order would affect the defender's role or his position as vice-captain, Enrique declined to provide a definitive internal update. The coach stated that the matter is currently in the hands of the justice system, offering no further tactical or personnel details regarding the player's availability.

The case remains a significant development for the Ligue 1 leaders as they navigate their domestic campaign. While the legal process continues in Nanterre, the club has not officially stripped the Morocco international of his leadership duties. The timeline for the public trial has not been specified, but it will serve as the final venue for the evidence—including the disputed psychological reports and the lack of DNA testing cited by the defense—to be weighed by a judge.