Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco national team defender Achraf Hakimi will officially stand trial for rape after France’s highest court rejected his final appeal. The Court of Cassation’s ruling, delivered in late September 2026, clears the way for the criminal proceedings to move forward in the Hauts-de-Seine department west of Paris.
The decision stems from preliminary charges filed in March 2023, following accusations by a 24-year-old woman who alleged Hakimi assaulted her at his home in a Parisian suburb. The footballer has consistently and firmly denied the allegations since the investigation began.
The ruling marks a critical juncture in a high-profile case that has overshadowed the 27-year-old star’s career. As one of global football’s most recognizable figures and a current Ballon d’Or nominee, Hakimi’s upcoming trial is expected to draw intense international scrutiny.
The Court of Cassation Ruling
Hakimi’s legal team had initially sought to have the charges dismissed, successfully bringing their appeal to the highest level of the French judicial system. However, the Court of Cassation ruled that there were no serious grounds justifying the acceptance of the appeal.
This decision upholds a previous ruling by the Court of Appeal of Versailles in June 2026. The dismissal of the appeal means the substantive evidence will now be debated openly before a competent criminal court, with legal analysts suggesting the trial could take place as early as next year.
Fanny Colin, Hakimi’s lawyer, emphasized that the Court of Cassation did not examine the core allegations and that the defense team remains prepared to present evidence of his innocence during the actual trial.
The 2023 Allegations
The case centers around an alleged incident that occurred on February 25, 2023. According to prosecutors, the accuser—who had reportedly been communicating with the footballer via Instagram—visited Hakimi’s residence in Boulogne-Billancourt, where she alleges the assault took place.
Following her formal complaint, French prosecutors acted swiftly, issuing preliminary rape charges against the defender by March 2, 2023.
Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the accuser, stated that her client remains determined to seek justice after more than three years of ongoing legal proceedings. Pardo has previously highlighted the case as a reminder that the men’s professional football environment often lags behind broader societal movements like MeToo.
A Career Under the Spotlight
Despite the severe nature of the allegations and the ongoing legal battle, Hakimi has continued to play at the highest levels of the sport. He recently captained the Moroccan national team to a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was crucial in their historic runs during previous international tournaments.
Paris Saint-Germain has historically expressed support for their player, noting his firm denial of the accusations and stating their trust in the French justice system. The club has not yet issued a new statement following the Court of Cassation’s final rejection of his appeal.
As the legal proceedings advance toward a formal courtroom trial, the sports world will be watching closely to see how the French judiciary handles one of the most prominent criminal cases involving an active elite footballer.
