Paris Saint Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, who is facing trial over an alleged rape case, has been included in his club’s matchday squad ahead of their UEFA Champions League play off second leg clash against AS Monaco on Wednesday.
The inclusion comes a day after confirmation by Hakimi’s legal team and a French prosecutor that the 27 year old right back will stand trial on a charge of raping a woman. Hakimi, who also plays for the Morocco national team, has strongly denied the allegation.
The case dates back to February 2023, when a woman then aged 24 reported to police in the Val de Marne area, southeast of Paris, that she had been raped by the footballer. The matter has since been under judicial investigation, culminating in the decision to proceed to trial.
Reacting on social media on Tuesday, Hakimi said he was confident the legal process would clear his name. According to him, the accusation alone was enough to justify a trial despite what he described as evidence proving his innocence. He added that he would face the proceedings calmly and allow the truth to emerge publicly.
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, questioned the credibility of the accusation, arguing that the complainant obstructed investigations by refusing medical examinations, DNA tests, phone analysis, and by declining to identify a key witness. She maintained that the case was based solely on the woman’s statement.
On the other hand, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel Flore Pardo, said her client felt relieved that the matter was going to court, praising the judiciary for its handling of the case.
Despite the legal cloud hanging over him, Hakimi trained with PSG on Tuesday and is expected to feature at right back when the French champions host Monaco at the Parc des Princes. PSG head into the match with a 3 2 aggregate advantage, having come from two goals down in the first leg, during which Hakimi scored the equaliser at Stade Louis II.
