In the Parisian orbit where Achraf Hakimi built his career beside some of Europe’s best-known players, a criminal case dating from February 2023 is now moving toward trial. France’s highest court has confirmed that the Paris Saint-Germain defender must face proceedings over an allegation of rape, while former teammate Kylian Mbappé could potentially be called as a witness.
A case bound for Nanterre
The 27-year-old Morocco international will appear before the Hauts-de-Seine criminal court in Nanterre after the final appeal routes against sending the case to trial were exhausted.
- The French Supreme Court upheld the earlier decision of the Versailles Court of Appeal to refer the matter for trial.
- No date has yet been set for the hearing.
- Hakimi has consistently denied the allegation and will continue to contest the case in court.
The accusation was brought by a 24-year-old woman who had met the player through social media. She later went to Hakimi’s home in Boulogne-Billancourt, west of central Paris.
Two sharply different accounts
The complainant told investigators that Hakimi kissed her and then sexually assaulted her despite her refusal. She said she managed to get away after kicking him, before contacting a friend for assistance in leaving the property.
Hakimi disputes that account categorically. His position is that there was no penetration and that the encounter involved only embraces and kisses which, he says, were mutual and consensual.
The forthcoming trial will be the forum in which those opposing versions are examined. The Supreme Court’s ruling does not establish guilt; it confirms that the case will proceed to a criminal hearing.
Mbappé’s possible involvement
Mbappé, now at Real Madrid after his years alongside Hakimi at PSG, may become a prominent figure in the proceedings if the court decides to summon him.
- Investigators included statements from Mbappé in the case file during the investigative stage.
- The material indicates that Mbappé and Hakimi were in contact on the night of the alleged incident.
- Representatives for the France forward submitted documents concerning Hakimi’s account of consent and the messages exchanged by the two players after the reported event.
Whether Mbappé gives evidence in person will depend on the court’s witness decisions once the Nanterre trial is scheduled.
