Compiled By: Malami Haruna Dogon daji
African football icon and Moroccan national team captain, Achraf Hakimi, is set to face criminal prosecution in France after an appeals court rejected his final bid to throw out rape charges. This landmark development shifts the spotlight from his stellar exploits on the pitch to a high-stakes legal battle in the French criminal justice system.
Appeal Dismissed by Versailles Court
On Friday, June 19, 2026, the investigating chamber of the Versailles Court of Appeal officially dismissed the Moroccan defender’s appeal against a previous order sending him to trial. A panel consisting of six judges made the unanimous decision to reject the player’s application. Consequently, the court confirmed that Hakimi will be tried before the Hauts-de-Seine departmental criminal court.
Background of the Allegations
The criminal charges stem from an incident reported in February 2023 at Hakimi’s residence located in the suburbs of Paris. A woman, who was 24 years old at the time of the alleged assault, filed the complaint which triggered an immediate response from French authorities. Following a preliminary probe by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office, formal charges were instituted against the full-back in March 2023.
Fast Facts: The Hakimi Case
- Player Profile: Morocco National Team Captain & Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) Right-Back.
- Alleged Incident: February 2023 at the player’s suburban Paris residence.PDF
- Trial Venue: Hauts-de-Seine Departmental Criminal Court, France.
- Current Status: Appeal rejected; trial expected within the coming months.
Legal Defence and Flat Denials
Hakimi has consistently maintained his innocence from the onset, completely denying any form of misconduct. The highly regarded defender previously expressed his eagerness to present his side of the story to clear his reputation. His legal representative, Fanny Colin, has aggressively criticised the credibility of the accusations brought forward by the claimant.
“Contradictions and lies of the claimant, her concealment from judicial authorities, her obstruction of truth, and even her psychological evaluations confirming her ambivalence and lack of clarity.” — Fanny Colin, Defence Counsel for Achraf Hakimi
Implications for African Football
As the influential captain who guided Morocco during their historic World Cup campaigns, Hakimi remains a premier ambassador for continental sports. Although the Versailles court has not established a specific calendar date for the commencement of the trial, proceedings are scheduled to open within the coming months. International football stakeholders and legal observers will be monitoring the Hauts-de-Seine tribunal closely as the case unfolds.
The Social Call-to-Action (CTA)
How do you think this upcoming criminal trial will affect Achraf Hakimi’s leadership of the Moroccan national team and his career at Paris Saint-Germain? Share your views in the comment section below or join the conversation on NTA’s official social media platforms using the hashtag #NTANetwork.
