Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco footballer Achraf Hakimi has been referred to a French criminal court over an alleged rape dating back to February 2023.
The move follows a request from the Nanterre Public Prosecutor’s Office, which believes there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial. Hakimi, 26, has consistently denied the allegation and maintains his innocence.
The case relates to an incident that allegedly took place at Hakimi’s residence in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris. A young woman, whose identity has not been disclosed for legal reasons, reported the alleged assault to police but did not initially file a formal complaint.
According to police documents seen by French media, the woman said she met Hakimi via Instagram in January 2023. On the day of the alleged assault, she was picked up by a car arranged by the player and driven to his home. She later claimed Hakimi kissed her without consent before raping her. She managed to leave the premises by contacting a friend, who came to pick her up.
Hakimi was placed under formal investigation and put under court supervision in March 2023. His lawyer, Fanny Colin, has sharply criticised the prosecutor’s move to refer the case, calling it “incomprehensible and illogical.”
“Achraf and I remain calm, just as we have been since the beginning of these proceedings,” she said. “We will use every legal avenue to defend him and expose the inconsistencies in the case.”
The woman’s legal representative, Rachelle-Fleur Bardot, expressed relief at the latest development. “There has never been any attempt at extortion in this matter. We will not tolerate the smear campaigns often directed at women who have the courage to report sexual violence,” Bardot said.
Further controversy surrounds the case due to reported text messages uncovered by investigators. French newspaper L’Équipe claims that suspicious messages between the complainant and her acquaintances suggest there may have been a plot to entrap or exploit the footballer. In one exchange, a friend allegedly encouraged her to “come in like a femme fatale,” while another message reportedly mentioned plans to “tie him up.”
Hakimi has described the entire ordeal as an extortion attempt. In a January 2025 interview, he stated: “When you succeed, you become an easy target. I was the victim of a set-up.”
The referral to criminal court does not mean a trial is certain. A judge will now review the evidence and decide whether to proceed.
Neither Hakimi nor Paris Saint-Germain has issued an official comment following the prosecutor’s recommendation. Hakimi, who has been on holiday ahead of the new football season, has not spoken publicly about the recent development.
The case has reignited debate in France over how high-profile sexual assault cases are handled, especially in the context of celebrities and public figures.
