Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has been charged with rape by French prosecutors, according to reports. The 24-year-old player was questioned by prosecutors on Thursday after a 24-year-old woman accused him of paying for her to travel to his home in the Paris suburb of Boulogne-Billancourt last Saturday while his wife and children were away on holiday.
Hakimi, who was a key part of Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar last year, has denied all the accusations against him, according to his lawyer Fanny Colin. She claims that Hakimi is the victim of “an attempted racket” and that he is looking forward to defending himself against the charges.
Despite the charges, PSG has given its support to Hakimi and has placed its trust in the justice system. The French football club said that the legal proceedings against Hakimi do not prevent him from leaving France and that he would return to action “next week.”
Hakimi came through the youth system at Real Madrid before joining Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in 2018. He made 73 appearances for the German club before moving to Inter Milan in 2020 and then on to PSG in 2021, where he has established himself as an integral part of the team and has struck up a close friendship with star forward Kylian Mbappe.
The allegations against Hakimi have come as a shock to fans of the Moroccan football star, who has been a rising star in the football world in recent years. He played a key role in Morocco’s impressive run to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar last year, where they became the first nation from the Arab world to reach the last four of a World Cup.
The news has also raised questions about PSG’s response to the allegations against Hakimi. While the club has given its support to the player, many have criticized PSG for not taking a stronger stance against sexual assault and for not doing more to support victims of rape and sexual assault.
The legal proceedings against Hakimi do not necessarily mean that the case will go to trial. Under French law, being charged does not equate to guilt, and Hakimi will have the opportunity to defend himself against the accusations made against him.
The news comes as PSG prepares to face Nantes in a Ligue 1 match on Saturday before traveling to Germany to play Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.
