Achraf Hakimi: Paris Saint-Germain defender to face trial after rape allegation

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi says he is ready to face trial after rape allegations were made against him.

A 24-year-old woman has accused the Moroccan fullback of raping her at his home in the French capital in 2023. He has denied the allegations.

The public prosecutor’s office in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris, opened a preliminary investigation in March 2023.

“Today, a rape allegation is enough to justify a trial,” Hakimi posted on X.

“This is as unfair to the innocent as it is to the actual victims. I calmly look forward to this trial, which will give the truth the opportunity to come out publicly.”

No date has been set for the trial.

BBC Sport has contacted the Nanterre prosecutor’s office for comment.

Paris Saint-Germain host Monaco in the second leg of their Champions League knockout round play-off tie on Wednesday.

Hakimi was named in PSG’s preliminary squad published last Tuesday.

The 27-year-old was born in Spain but represents Morocco and has made 194 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Champions League and Ligue 1 titles last season.

His performances were honoured at the Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony held in Paris on Monday evening, where he was named in the FIFAPro Men’s World Team of the Year.

He was also a key player as Morocco made history by reaching the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar in 2022, the first African team to do so.