Achraf Hakimi, Morocco’s World Cup captain, to stand trial on rape charge
Key takeaways
- A French appeals court confirmed that Morocco captain Hakimi will face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023, which he denies.
- Hakimi, who played for Morocco during their World Cup opener against Brazil on Sunday, had appealed his referral to a criminal court.
- French media reported earlier that the Versailles appeals court had rejected the appeal, paving the way for his trial in a criminal court at some point in the future.
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
A French appeals court confirmed that Morocco captain Hakimi will face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023, which he denies.
xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogle Add Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi in action against Brazil during a Group C match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at New York New Jersey Stadium [Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images via Reuters]By Al Jazeera Staff and Reuters Published On 19 Jun 202619 Jun 2026Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) defender Achraf Hakimi, who is due to join Morocco’s World Cup squad against Scotland later on Friday, said he faced trial on a rape charge and welcomed the opportunity to put across his point of view.
Hakimi, who played for Morocco during their World Cup opener against Brazil on Sunday, had appealed his referral to a criminal court.