- A French appeals court has confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Morocco full-back Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case, upholding an earlier decision by an investigative judge.
- Hakimi, who is currently playing for Morocco at the World Cup, was first charged in March 2023 after a 24-year-old woman accused him of rape at his home in a Paris suburb.
- The player vehemently denies any wrongdoing, stating on social media that he believes the case would have been dismissed if he were not famous and that he feels he has become an "easy target."
- Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the plaintiff, expressed that the court's decision brings her client "a sense of relief and hope" that her case will finally be heard at trial after prolonged legal proceedings.
- Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, criticised the decision, arguing that the investigation uncovered numerous "exculpatory elements" and highlighted what she described as "contradictions and false statements" from the complainant.
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