Achraf Hakimi to stand trial after French Court of Cassation rejects appeal

Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in France after the country’s highest court rejected his appeal against a decision to send him to trial over an alleged rape.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender, who was accused by a young woman of rape in an incident dating back to 2023, had challenged a court ruling issued last June.

However, the Court of Cassation rejected his appeal on Wednesday, clearing the way for proceedings before the criminal court in the Hauts-de-Seine department.

According to Foot Mercato, the Court of Cassation confirmed that Hakimi will face trial before the relevant criminal court.

Bertrand Peres, the claimant’s lawyer before the Court of Cassation, said in a statement carried by Agence France-Presse: “The Court of Cassation rejected Achraf Hakimi’s appeal, considering that there were no serious grounds to justify accepting it.”

The ruling does not amount to a guilty verdict against the Paris Saint-Germain player. Any decision on his guilt or innocence will be made during the trial before the competent criminal court.