Legal Storm Gathers Over Achraf Hakimi
French authorities are seeking a criminal trial for Achraf Hakimi, the acclaimed Paris Saint-Germain right-back, after a months-long investigation into allegations of rape. The stakes are high. Prosecutors say they’ve gathered enough evidence to warrant court proceedings over an alleged assault involving a young woman in February 2023.
Hakimi isn’t just another footballer facing legal scrutiny. The 26-year-old has built a reputation as one of the sharpest full-backs in the game—his relentless runs on the flank for PSG and crucial role with the Moroccan national team have put him on the global stage. However, these allegations now threaten to overshadow both his career and his public image.
From Humble Roots to Football Stardom
Born in Madrid to Moroccan parents who moved to Spain in the 1980s, Hakimi’s story often gets told as a rags-to-riches tale. His mother worked as a cleaning lady and his father sold wares as a street vendor. Against the odds, Hakimi’s teenage years were spent on local pitches, his speed catching the attention of scouts. Eventually, Real Madrid’s youth academy took him in, and stints at Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan followed. Today, he’s a household name—especially after his standout performance for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup, where the team made African football history by reaching the semifinals.
Such a meteoric rise meant that Hakimi became a role model to many, particularly in Morocco and among migrant communities in Europe, where his humility and work ethic resonated. But now, with a high-profile criminal case looming, his off-field life is under a microscope.
The accusations surfaced in early 2023, prompting a swift response from French legal authorities. Investigators say the young woman’s claims are serious and credible enough to advance to a trial. While prosecutors are pressing their case, Hakimi’s camp has issued firm denials, insisting on his innocence and criticizing what they call a rush to judgment.
Paris Saint-Germain is, so far, keeping tight-lipped. The club has released no official comment, likely awaiting the outcome of legal proceedings before making any moves. The French football community is watching closely too—not least because of the high profile of both the defendant and the stakes for PSG as they navigate their on-pitch ambitions and growing scrutiny off the field.
As the case enters its next phase—preparation for trial—Hakimi’s career could hang in the balance. Legal experts say that, for professionals in the public eye, the court of public opinion is sometimes as influential as the legal one. Sponsors, teammates, and fans are all bracing for what’s next, aware that developments could shift swiftly as new evidence comes to light or as trial dates are set.
- Aug, 2 2025
- Cassius Montgomery
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