Achraf Hakimi rape trial confirmed after appeal rejected: PSG star responds
Synopsis
Achraf Hakimi's attempt to halt his rape trial has failed. A French court has rejected the PSG star's appeal, confirming proceedings will move forward in the coming months. Breaking his silence on X, Hakimi said he feels like 'an easy target' — but declared he has been 'waiting for this trial since day one' and is ready to speak.
Key Takeaways
Achraf Hakimi's appeal to block his rape trial has been rejected by a French court.
The trial, confirmed to proceed in the coming months, stems from allegations made by a 24-year-old woman in February 2023 in the Val-de-Marne region near Paris .
Prosecutors first requested a trial in 2025 ; the court approved the request in February 2025 .
Hakimi denied the charges and posted a statement on X , saying he feels like 'an easy target' and has 'been waiting for this trial since day one.' The PSG defender is currently representing Morocco at the FIFA World Cup 2026 .
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial on rape allegations after a French court rejected his appeal against prosecution, confirming the case will proceed in the coming months. The Moroccan international, currently competing at the FIFA World Cup 2026, denied the charges and said in a public statement that he has 'been waiting for this trial since day one.'
Background: How the Case Began
In February 2023, a woman then aged 24 told police in the Val-de-Marne region, southeast of Paris, that she had met Hakimi in January 2023 via Instagram. She alleged that she travelled to his home in a taxi arranged by the player, and that he touched her without consent and raped her. Hakimi has denied the allegations.
Court Confirms Trial After Failed Appeal
Prosecutors formally requested a trial in 2025, a decision a court officially approved in February 2025. Hakimi subsequently filed an appeal seeking an injunction to halt proceedings — a bid that has now been rejected. The trial is confirmed to proceed within the coming months, though an exact date has not been publicly announced.
Hakimi Breaks Silence on Social Media
Responding to the court's ruling, Hakimi posted a statement on X in which he addressed both the allegations and what he described as the burden of public scrutiny. 'Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me, if you weren't famous, there never would have been a case,' he wrote. 'I chose to remain silent for years. I thought that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.'
He added: 'Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, 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.'
What Happens Next
The trial date is expected to be set for later in 2025 or early 2026. Hakimi remains active on the international stage, representing Morocco at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The case has drawn sustained attention given his profile as one of European club football's most prominent defenders. How the proceedings unfold could have significant implications for both his career and the broader conversation around accountability in professional sport.
Point of View
Not evidence, drove the prosecution is a familiar defence strategy in high-profile athlete cases, and it will be tested in court rather than on social media. What is notable is the timing: the statement lands while he is under a global spotlight at the World Cup, amplifying reach but also risk. French courts have shown little appetite for public pressure in either direction on such cases, and the rejection of his injunction appeal signals the judiciary is unmoved by his profile. The trial, when it comes, will be a significant test of how French law handles allegations against globally prominent athletes.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rape allegations against Achraf Hakimi?
A woman then aged 24 alleged in February 2023 that she met Hakimi on Instagram in January 2023, travelled to his home in a taxi he arranged, and was touched without consent and raped. Hakimi has denied all the allegations.
Why was Hakimi's appeal rejected?
Hakimi appealed to block the trial by seeking an injunction against prosecution, but a French court rejected that appeal, confirming the case will proceed. The court had originally approved the prosecution's trial request in February 2025.
When will Achraf Hakimi's trial take place?
The trial is confirmed to take place in the coming months, though an exact date has not been publicly announced. It is expected to be scheduled for later in 2025 or early 2026.
What did Hakimi say in response to the court's decision?
Hakimi posted a statement on X saying he has 'been waiting for this trial since day one' and is 'looking forward to it.' He said he felt like 'an easy target' and that 'a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth.'
Is Hakimi still playing football during the trial process?
Yes. Hakimi is currently representing Morocco at the FIFA World Cup 2026, continuing his international career while the legal proceedings move forward in France.
