PSG Footballer Achraf Hakimi to Stand Trial for Rape

Moroccan Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been formally referred to court in connection with rape charges. The decision by French law enforcement was announced on February 24, 2026. The referral of the indictment to court was confirmed in a statement to France-Presse by the player's lawyer, Me Fanny Colin. The footballer, who has consistently denied the allegations against him, will have to answer to the justice system. The case, which will be heard by a criminal court, has shaken the sports world, especially as Hakimi is considered one of the stars of his generation and a key player for both his club and the Moroccan national team. The news quickly spread across international media. The French criminal procedure stipulates that after an investigation conducted by the prosecutor's office or an investigating judge, a case may be referred to court via an indictment order. This decision means that law enforcement has deemed the collected evidence sufficient to bring charges before a court. In cases of sexual offenses, such trials are usually held behind closed doors to protect the victim's privacy. Hakimi's case is another high-profile trial of a footballer accused of a sexual offense, prompting broader reflection on the responsibility of sports stars. Paris Saint-Germain, where Hakimi is a key player, has not yet publicly commented on the latest development in their player's legal situation. The footballer, born in 1998 in Madrid, holds Moroccan and Spanish citizenship, which may imply legal complexity. He will stand before the court as the accused, and the verdict will depend on the outcome of the trial now beginning.