World Cup 2026: Hakimi rape case ruling disrupts Morocco’s focus before Scotland clash

Morocco’s quiet build-up to their World Cup group-stage match against Scotland has been disrupted after captain Achraf Hakimi suffered a fresh legal setback in France.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender is with the Atlas Lions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where Morocco are preparing for their second Group C match against Scotland on Saturday.

But attention around the team has shifted after the Court of Appeal in Versailles upheld a decision to refer Hakimi to trial on rape charges linked to a case dating back to 2023.

Hakimi, who played in Morocco’s opening draw against Brazil last Sunday morning, has denied the allegation from the beginning.

The ruling means the 27-year-old is expected to appear before the criminal court in Hauts-de-Seine in the coming months.

The timing of the decision is sensitive for Morocco, who are trying to keep their focus on the tournament after an encouraging start against Brazil.

The appeal rejects Hakimi’s request

Hakimi personally attended a hearing before the Court of Appeal in May as his legal team sought to overturn the referral decision issued by an investigating judge in February.

His defence had asked for the decision to be annulled, arguing that the case should not proceed to trial.

However, the court rejected those arguments and approved the continuation of the proceedings, according to French network RMC.

Following the ruling, Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, expressed disappointment with the decision.

She said the investigation contained several elements that, in the view of the defence, supported her client’s position.

Colin also referred to what she described as “contradictions” in the complainant’s statements.

The court’s decision does not determine guilt or innocence, but it confirms that the case will now move to the next stage of the French legal process.

For Hakimi, it means the issue will continue to follow him beyond the World Cup.

For Morocco, it creates an unwelcome distraction before a crucial match against Scotland.

The case dates back to 2023

The case began in February 2023, when a young woman went to French police and reported that she had been sexually assaulted by Hakimi.

According to her account, she had visited the player at his home after they became acquainted through Instagram.

She alleged that the encounter developed into acts that took place without her consent before she later left the house.

Hakimi has denied the accusation from the start.

He has maintained that the encounter was consensual and that the accusations against him were “untrue”.

The allegation has remained under judicial examination since 2023 and has now moved closer to a full trial after the appeal court’s ruling.

Two conflicting accounts

The case is built around two opposing versions of events.

Hakimi’s defence has questioned the complainant’s account and argued that elements of the file point to an attempt to exploit the player financially.

His legal team has also relied on messages and conversations that were presented during the investigation.

The complainant, however, has stood by her statements to investigators.

She has said she had no interest in inventing the allegation and indicated that the media attention surrounding the case had also been difficult for her.

The trial is expected to examine those competing accounts in detail when the case is heard before the criminal court.

Until then, Hakimi remains accused but denies wrongdoing.

Mbappe may testify

The trial could also involve testimony from Kylian Mbappe, Hakimi’s close friend and former Paris Saint-Germain team-mate.

Mbappe gave two statements during the investigation.

In those statements, he spoke about conversations he had with Hakimi on the night in question.

According to the report, Mbappe said Hakimi told him at the time that he did not feel any rejection from the young woman during the meeting.

His possible testimony could become one of the most closely watched parts of the trial, given his profile and his personal relationship with Hakimi.

The case is now expected to be decided in the coming months after the referral to trial was upheld by the Court of Appeal.

For now, Hakimi remains with Morocco at the World Cup as the Atlas Lions attempt to keep their campaign on track.

Their match against Scotland had been the main focus after the draw with Brazil.

But the legal development involving their captain has now brought a major off-field issue into Morocco’s tournament preparations.