Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi is facing serious legal consequences as French prosecutors have requested his indictment for rape, potentially leading to a trial that could result in up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office submitted a formal request on August 1, 2025, to refer the case to the Hauts-de-Seine departmental criminal court, following an investigation that began in early 2023.
The allegations stem from an incident reported on February 25, 2023, when a 24-year-old woman claimed she was raped by Hakimi at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris. According to reports from ‘Le Parisien’, the woman met Hakimi through Instagram and visited his residence after over a month of online communication. She alleges that Hakimi kissed and touched her without consent before forcing non-consensual intercourse. The woman reported the incident to police the same day but initially did not file a formal complaint, later providing messages to investigators that described her distress.
Hakimi, now 26, has consistently denied the allegations, asserting that the accusation is an attempt at financial extortion. In a January 2025 interview with a blogger, he stated, “The truth is, when you’re successful, you become an easy target for some people… They wanted to blackmail me, which is why we filed a complaint. Justice has handled things well.” His lawyer, Fanny Colin, has called the prosecution’s request “incomprehensible and senseless” in light of the evidence, arguing that psychological evaluations undermine the accuser’s credibility. Colin expressed confidence that Hakimi remains “serene” as the legal process continues.
The accuser’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, welcomed the prosecutor’s move, stating, “My client welcomes this decision with immense relief.” The case now awaits a decision from an investigating judge, who will determine whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
PSG has publicly supported Hakimi throughout the investigation, citing trust in the French judicial system. The club has attributed his absences from training to “personal reasons” and has allowed him to manage the situation privately. Despite the legal challenges, Hakimi has continued to perform on the pitch, contributing to PSG’s campaigns and Morocco’s historic World Cup semi-final run in 2022.
The investigation began in February 2023, with Hakimi placed under judicial supervision and banned from contacting the accuser after his initial indictment on March 3, 2023. A face-to-face confrontation between Hakimi and the accuser occurred in December 2023, where both parties maintained their respective accounts of the incident.
As the case progresses, the football world watches closely, with the outcome hinging on the investigating judge’s ruling. If the case moves to trial, Hakimi’s career and reputation could face significant repercussions, given the severity of the charges.
