Controversy After PSG Fans' Support for Hakimi Ahead of Rape Trial

The Paris Saint-Germain supporters' section, known as Auteuil, became the epicenter of controversy after it displayed a large banner with the inscription 'Achraf total soutien' (Achraf total support) during the league match against AS Monaco on February 25, 2026. The gesture was a response to the earlier decision by the French judiciary to refer the case of Moroccan defender and PSG star Achraf Hakimi to a criminal court in connection with rape allegations. Referring the case to a criminal court means that investigators considered the gathered evidence serious enough for it to be heard before this instance, rather than a lower court. Criminal cases against sports stars often spark heated debates at the intersection of law, ethics, and fandom. In European football, fans have repeatedly expressed support for accused players, which has met with varied reactions from clubs and society. The key principle remains the presumption of innocence, yet public demonstrations of support in cases of a sexual nature are a particularly sensitive topic.Paris Saint-Germain, unlike its previous reactions in similar situations, did not issue an official statement condemning nor distance itself from its fans' actions. This stance avoided repeating a scenario from the past when, following an incident involving former player Benjamin Mendy, also accused of sexual crimes, the club publicly reprimanded its fans. The lack of reaction from the club's authorities was noted by the media and interpreted by some commentators as silent approval or a conscious decision not to get involved in a case pending before the judiciary. The person concerned, Achraf Hakimi, responded to his supporters' gesture the next day. Via his social media accounts, he published thanks addressed to 'everyone who supports me'. The fans' initiative sparked a sharp public debate, extending beyond the sports environment. Some commentators and media, including the French daily '20minutes', pointed out 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 a stigmatizing action. According to critics, such public demonstrations could undermine the credibility of victims and make it harder for them to seek help. „Pourquoi Auteuil aurait dû s'abstenir de déployer une banderole pro-Hakimi” (Why should Auteuil have refrained from deploying a pro-Hakimi banner) — French daily '20minutes' – the article's headline asked rhetorically, suggesting that the fans should have refrained from this gesture. Two days after the events at the Parc des Princes stadium, on February 27, media attention was captured by a completely different, private message. Hakimi's ex-wife, Hiba Abouk, a well-known actress and model, published kind and supportive words online addressed to the footballer. Abouk wished him strength ahead of the upcoming court trial. This gesture, coming from a person with whom Hakimi experienced a turbulent separation and divorce, was read as an act of personal solidarity, completely independent of the controversy surrounding the banner. Support from his former partner, despite the ended relationship, added a new, emotional dimension to the narrative around the player. Both these actions – the collective demonstration by fans at the stadium and the individual gesture by his ex-wife on social media – clearly show how criminal cases involving top-tier athletes divide public opinion and extend far beyond the pitch. They engage various social circles – from organized fan groups, through club institutions, to personal relationships and a former marital bond. The Hakimi case has become another example of the clash between principles of law, sports ethics, fan loyalty, and societal sensitivity to sexual crimes.