Achraf Hakimi, a 27-year-old footballer for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and the Moroccan national team, has announced on social media that he will be appearing in a French court to face allegations of rape. He has publicly denied the accusations, stating that such allegations are sufficient to justify a trial, even if he insists he is innocent and believes evidence will prove his claims to be false. In his message, Hakimi expressed concern that the mere accusation of rape is unfair both to innocent individuals and true victims.

The investigation into Hakimi began in 2023 when French authorities opened a case following the rape allegations made against him. The prosecutor confirmed on Tuesday that Hakimi's case has been forwarded to the courts, signifying that legal proceedings will take place. This development comes at a sensitive time for Hakimi, as his club PSG is scheduled to compete against Monaco in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, where he is included in the squad.

Paris Saint-Germain's head coach, Luis Enrique, refrained from commenting on the legal situation during a pre-match press conference, focusing instead on the upcoming match. The proceedings and allegations against Hakimi are likely to have significant implications for both his career and the public image of PSG, as well as to spark wider discussions about the issues surrounding accusations of sexual violence in the sporting world.