PSG’s Achraf Hakimi Breaks Silence On R@pe Allegation, Says He Is “At Peace” And Confident Of Acquittal

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has spoken publicly for the first time about the rape allegation against him, saying he remains calm and confident that he will be cleared.

In an interview with journalist Mouloud Achour on Canal+’s show Clique, a clip of which aired Wednesday night, the 26-year-old Moroccan international denied the accusation. “I know that what I am accused of is a lie,” Hakimi said in Spanish. “I know that I have not done anything and that I would never do that. Today, I have peace of mind… hoping that the truth will soon be revealed.”

French prosecutors requested last month that Hakimi stand trial over claims he r@ped a 24-year-old woman in February 2023. The woman alleged she met Hakimi via social media and that he invited her to his home in Boulogne-Billancourt while his wife and children were away.

She went to a police station after the encounter but did not file a formal complaint. Prosecutors nonetheless pressed charges, leading to Hakimi’s indictment in March 2023.

Hakimi, now divorced, insists the allegation is an attempt to extort him. However, the accuser’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, rejected that claim, telling AFP: “Nothing in the case lends in any way to a characterising[sic] of extortion. Mr Hakimi is trying to create a counter-fire that we are used to in cases of sexual violence.”

On August 1, the Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed it had formally requested that Hakimi’s case be sent to criminal court.

Despite the ongoing legal case, Hakimi continues to play for PSG and Morocco. He was part of Morocco’s historic 2022 World Cup run to the semi-finals and helped PSG lift the UEFA Champions League trophy earlier this year.

No trial date has been set, and Hakimi maintains the allegations against him are false.