Achraf Hakimi Faces Rape Trial Amid Ongoing World Cup Matches

FOXBOROUGH, MA — French authorities announced on Friday, June 19, that Achraf Hakimi, the right back for Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain, will face trial for allegations of rape in France after his appeal to dismiss the case was rejected. The charges are linked to an alleged incident that occurred in February 2023, where a woman accused Hakimi of assaulting her at his residence in a Paris suburb. The 27-year-old player serves as the captain of the Moroccan national team.

Hakimi participated in Morocco's World Cup match against Scotland later that day, following his previous appearance in the team's opening game, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Brazil. Prior to the match, he took to social media to share a poignant statement, originally expressed in French: "Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: 'If you weren't famous, there never would have been a case.' I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that by maintaining my dignity, being patient, and trusting the justice system, the right decisions would eventually be made. Today, a narrative that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and, most importantly, the truth. Sometimes I feel like I've become an easy target. I've been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I'm looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak."

Currently, no specific date for the trial has been announced. This situation unfolds as Morocco competes in the international tournament, adding an additional layer of scrutiny to Hakimi's involvement on the global stage.