Will Hakimi face trial for rape in Paris St Germain

BERLIN: Moroccan soccer player Achraf Hakimi, who is currently a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, has said that he would face a rape trial.

The news came when he posted a statement on his social media account, where he again denied the rape case, saying it was an allegation.

In his posted statement found on X, Hakimi said, “Today, a rape accusation is enough to justify a trial, even though I deny it and everything proves it’s false.”

He added, “This is as unjust to the innocent as it is to the genuine victims. I calmly await this trial, which will allow the truth to come out publicly.”

It may be noted that the Nanterre prosecutor’s office had opened an investigation in 2023 after an allegation of rape was made against him.

The prosecutor confirmed today (Tuesday) that the player’s case had been forwarded for trial.

Following the confirmation, Paris Saint-Germain is now set to face Monaco in Wednesday’s return leg of their Champions League knockout round playoff tie.

Earlier, Hakimi was included in the side squad list published last Tuesday.

Hakimi’s situation is part of a wider period where several high-profile footballers have faced serious sexual assault or rape allegations, with differing legal outcomes.

Reports indicate that Thomas Partey has faced multiple allegations of sexual offences relating to incidents between 2020 and 2022. He denies the charges, and legal proceedings are ongoing. For the latest developments, refer to verified news sources.

Wissam Ben Yedder, a French professional footballer who has played as a striker for clubs including Wydad AC, has faced legal issues in recent years. Reports from 2023 indicated that he was under investigation over allegations including rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault, which he has denied. Separately, in 2024, he was convicted in another case related to sexual assault. Legal proceedings regarding the earlier allegations have been ongoing, and updates should be followed through reliable news sources.