After his case was referred to criminal court, Achraf Hakimi found himself in the media spotlight. The Auteuil section at the Parc des Princes stadium displayed a banner reading 'Achraf total soutien,' expressing support for the player accused of rape. Having learned from previous mistakes, PSG did not issue an official statement this time. A few days later, media also circulated a surprising, benevolent message from the player's former wife, Hiba Abouk, addressed to him ahead of the trial.

Famous PSG Fan Section

During the PSG vs. AS Monaco match (2:1), fans from the Auteuil section displayed a large banner with the inscription 'Achraf total soutien.' This was a response to the court's decision to refer the case of Hakimi, accused of rape, to criminal court, indicating the serious nature of the charges.

Lack of Reaction from PSG Club

Paris Saint-Germain did not publicly comment on or distance itself from the fans' banner. This stance differs from previous interventions when the club admonished fans in similar matters, for example, after the incident involving former player Benjamin Mendy.

Controversy Over Fan Support

The fans' gesture sparked public debate. Some commentators and fans believed that expressing unconditional support for a person accused of such a serious crime is inappropriate and stigmatizing for victims of sexual violence.

Unexpected Support from Former Wife

In a separate development, former model and actress Hiba Abouk, Hakimi's former wife, published a surprisingly warm and supportive message for the player on social media, wishing him strength ahead of the upcoming trial, which was interpreted as an act of solidarity.

The Paris Saint-Germain fan section, known as Auteuil, sparked controversy during the league match against AS Monaco on February 25, 2026, by displaying a large banner with the inscription 'Achraf total soutien.' This gesture was a response to the earlier court decision to refer the case of Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan defender and PSG star, to criminal court in connection with rape allegations. The court's decision means investigators considered the gathered evidence serious enough for the case to be heard before the criminal justice system, rather than a lower instance court. Unlike in previous similar situations, Paris Saint-Germain did not issue an official statement condemning or distancing itself from its fans' actions. This allowed the club to avoid repeating a past scenario when, following an incident involving former player Benjamin Mendy, also accused of sexual offenses, the club publicly admonished its fans. This lack of response was noted and interpreted by some media as silent consent or a conscious decision not to engage in the ongoing court case. Hakimi himself responded to the fans' gesture the next day by posting thanks on social media to 'everyone who supports me.' The fans' initiative sparked a heated public debate. Some commentators, including the newspaper '20minutes,' argued that unconditional support for a person accused of such a serious crime could be perceived as a lack of sensitivity towards victims of sexual violence and stigmatizing for them. Meanwhile, on February 27, two days after the match, media attention was captured by a surprising message from Hakimi's former wife, Hiba Abouk. The former model and actress published a message online full of kindness and support for the player, wishing him strength ahead of the upcoming trial. This gesture, coming from someone with whom Hakimi had a turbulent separation, was interpreted as an act of personal solidarity, completely independent of the controversy surrounding the stadium banner. Both these actions – by the fans and the former partner – show how criminal cases involving top-tier athletes divide public opinion and extend far beyond the pitch, involving various social circles and personal relationships.

Mentioned People

  • Achraf Hakimi — Moroccan footballer, defender for Paris Saint-Germain, accused of rape. The case has been referred to criminal court.
  • Hiba Abouk — Spanish-Tunisian actress and former model, former wife of Achraf Hakimi, who published a supportive message ahead of his trial.
  • Benjamin Mendy — Former Manchester City and French national team player, also accused of sexual offenses, cited as a precedent in the context of clubs' reactions to similar cases.