Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi is set to stand trial in France over a rape allegation dating back to 2023, after the country’s highest court rejected his final appeal against the decision to send the case to trial.

The decision by the Court of Cassation means the legal proceedings against the Morocco international will now move forward before the Hauts-de-Seine departmental criminal court. However, the ruling does not amount to a finding that Hakimi is guilty of the allegation.

Hakimi has consistently denied the accusation and remains legally presumed innocent. The Court of Cassation’s decision was concerned with the legal challenge to his referral for trial rather than determining whether the alleged offence took place.

Hakimi’s Final Appeal Rejected

The case stems from an allegation concerning an incident reported to have occurred in February 2023.

Following the investigation, French judicial authorities decided that there was sufficient basis for the case to proceed to trial. Hakimi challenged that decision, but the referral was subsequently upheld by the Versailles Court of Appeal.

His defence then brought the matter before the Court of Cassation, which examines whether courts have correctly applied the law rather than conducting a completely new examination of the evidence and facts.

The rejection of Hakimi’s appeal means the decision to send him to trial remains in place.

The next stage will therefore be the criminal trial, where the evidence and testimony in the case can be examined in greater detail.

Trial Does Not Mean Conviction

One of the most important aspects of the case is the distinction between being ordered to stand trial and being found guilty.

A decision to send a defendant to trial means that the relevant judicial authorities consider there to be sufficient grounds for the case to be heard in court. It does not establish that the defendant committed the alleged offence.

Hakimi has denied the accusation throughout the proceedings.

At trial, the prosecution will have to present its case, while Hakimi’s defence will have the opportunity to challenge the allegations and evidence against him. The court will ultimately determine the facts and reach a verdict.

Until that process is completed, Hakimi remains presumed innocent under French law.

Kylian Mbappé’s Testimony Included in the Case

Another prominent name connected to the investigation is former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappé was questioned during the investigation, and his testimony forms part of the case file.

Reports concerning the proceedings have indicated that investigators examined what Hakimi allegedly told people around him as well as testimony from individuals connected to the case.

There have also been reports concerning different accounts attributed to Mbappé during the investigation. According to reporting on the case, the Versailles Court of Appeal considered his earlier testimony when examining whether the case should proceed to trial.

The significance of Mbappé’s testimony, however, should not be overstated. His evidence is one part of a wider case file, and its ultimate weight will be determined through the judicial process.

What Happens Next?

With the Court of Cassation rejecting Hakimi’s final appeal, the case can now proceed to the Hauts-de-Seine departmental criminal court.

A trial date will determine when the allegations, evidence and testimony are formally examined in court.

During the proceedings, both the prosecution and defence will have opportunities to present evidence and question witnesses. The court will then consider the complete body of evidence before reaching its decision.

The case could therefore attract significant public attention, particularly because Hakimi is one of Morocco’s most prominent footballers and has played at the highest level for Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan national team.

Nevertheless, public interest should not be confused with a judicial conclusion.

Hakimi Maintains His Denial

Hakimi’s position remains that he did not commit the offence alleged against him.

The latest Court of Cassation decision does not change that position or establish the truth of either side’s account. Instead, it removes the latest legal challenge to the decision that the allegations should be examined at trial.

The upcoming proceedings will therefore be the stage at which the evidence can be tested before the court.

For now, the central legal position is straightforward: Achraf Hakimi is being sent to trial over a serious allegation, but he has not been convicted of the offence.

The Court of Cassation’s ruling should consequently be understood as a procedural development rather than a verdict on Hakimi’s guilt or innocence.

As the case moves toward trial, further details about the proceedings, evidence and testimony may become available. Until a final judgment is delivered, the presumption of innocence remains in place.