Achraf Hakimi sent a strong message before rape trial
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi issued a forceful public denial on X after France's Versailles Court of Appeal confirmed he must stand trial on a 2023 rape allegation—while still leading the Atlas Lions at the 2026 World Cup. He insists he welcomes the chance to finally speak in court. The hakimi soccer case now pits his insistence on innocence against scrutiny over whether a player formally charged with rape should keep playing on the sport's biggest stage.
Key Takeaways
- On June 19, the Versailles Court of Appeal ruled sufficient evidence exists to send Hakimi to trial; no date is set, though reporting suggests a fall hearing in Hauts-de-Seine.
- Hakimi broke silence on X, saying he has waited for trial since day one and feels fame made him an easy target.
- He captained Morocco against Canada on July 4 in Houston while formally charged and awaiting criminal proceedings in France.
- His accuser told Mediapart she wants a trial to defend herself and be heard; Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi has publicly backed his captain.
- Scottish supporters booed Hakimi during Morocco's earlier win in Boston, fueling debate over his World Cup role.
What Did Achraf Hakimi Say After the Trial Ruling?
After the June 19 appeals decision, Hakimi posted a lengthy statement on X that Heavy.com quoted in full. He wrote that justice told him, "If you weren't famous, there never would have been a case," and that he chose silence for years while trusting the legal process.
"Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth," he added. "I've been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I'm looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak."
His accuser also spoke to French outlet Mediapart, saying she has felt "alone, unsupported and not understood," and wants a trial "to defend myself, to be heard." The case stems from February 2023, when a then-24-year-old woman told French police she was raped at Hakimi's home outside Paris. He was placed under investigation days later and has denied wrongdoing throughout.
Why Is Hakimi Still Playing at the World Cup?
On July 4 at 10 a.m. Pacific, Hakimi walked out as Morocco's captain for a Round of 16 match against Canada in Houston. Toronto Star writer Joe Callaghan used Morocco's earlier win over Scotland to ask a question the tournament has largely avoided: should Hakimi be playing at all?
Scottish fans in Boston booed Hakimi whenever he touched the ball, and ITV analyst Ally McCoist admitted mid-broadcast he was unsure why. Reporting cited by Heavy notes that six judges, according to the accuser's lawyer Rachel-Flore Pardo, agreed evidence was strong enough to indict.
Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi has offered nothing but support, calling Hakimi "extraordinary" and "the best right-back in the world." For more on high-profile cases where fame and criminal allegations collide, see our True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries coverage.
What Happened When Morocco Faced Canada?
Yahoo Sports live coverage tracked the July 4 Round of 16 opener in Houston. Morocco took control after halftime. In the 50th minute, Hakimi's free-kick delivery found Azzedine Ounahi, who drilled a shot into the bottom-right corner for the opening goal.
Ounahi added a second in the 82nd minute. Hakimi was also involved in a flashpoint with Canada's Richie Laryea, with both players receiving yellow cards after a push from behind off the ball. The result sent Morocco toward a potential quarterfinal in Boston on July 9.
What Happens Next in the Legal Case?
No trial date has been announced. Heavy.com reports it is expected this fall at the Hauts-de-Seine criminal court. French investigating judges examine evidence before deciding whether cases proceed—a process distinct from models like the UK's Crown Prosecution Service, as AP News and other outlets have noted in covering the appeals ruling.
Time will tell what happens when Hakimi stands trial. For now, the legal case continues to follow one of the World Cup's biggest stars—on and off the pitch.