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Rabat – Achraf Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, says there is “strong evidence” that clears the Moroccan football star of any wrongdoing, as French prosecutors officially requested a rape trial against him.
“We will fight until the end to make sure the truth comes out and that it is clearly said and understood that Achraf Hakimi did not do or say anything wrong,” Colin told RMC Sport. She added that the accusations are based on a version of events that she considers “incoherent” and lacking any signs of trauma usually seen in similar cases.
The case dates back to February 2023, when a 24-year-old woman accused Hakimi of forcing her into a non-consensual sexual act at his home near Paris. The public prosecutor’s office in Nanterre asked on Friday for the 26-year-old to be tried by a criminal court. Hakimi has firmly denied the allegations since the beginning of the investigation.
Now, the decision lies with the investigating judge, who will determine whether the case will go to trial. If convicted, Hakimi could face up to 15 years in prison.
His lawyer also questioned the woman’s story, calling it inconsistent. “In 99.9% of sexual assault cases, there is at least some sign of trauma, whether it’s nightmares, weight changes, or anything else. Here, there is nothing,” she argued. Colin added that she remains calm even if a trial happens, saying the truth will come out.
‘Never seen him behave inappropriately’
The alleged incident happened on February 25, 2023, one day before a big PSG match that Hakimi missed. The woman says she met the footballer through Instagram and was driven to his house in a car ordered by him. She claims he kissed her and touched her without consent, even after she told him no. She says she managed to push him away and called a friend to pick her up.
French football star Kylian Mbappé, who was a close teammate of Hakimi at Paris Saint-Germain, also gave a statement to the police. He defended his friend, saying, “Achraf Hakimi is respectful toward women. Even when drinking, I’ve never seen him behave inappropriately.” He added that he had never heard of any women saying Hakimi had crossed the line.
Mbappé also talked about the night Hakimi found out about the investigation, saying he cried and was emotionally shaken. Mbappé supported the idea that the case might be a setup, pointing to messages from the woman that suggest a plan to get money from Hakimi. In one text, the woman reportedly wrote, “We’re going to rob him!” although she later said it was just a joke to relieve stress.
The case has resurfaced at a sensitive time for Hakimi, who is said to be gaining international support for his performance on the field and is reportedly being considered in the race for the Ballon d’Or. Some fans and commentators now question whether the renewed focus on the case is part of a campaign against him just as he is reaching new career heights.
