The Versailles appeals court, located west of Paris, heard a request on Friday from Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, who is attempting to have his rape case thrown out. The 27-year-old Morocco international is due to stand trial over allegations of rape involving a woman.
According to a source close to the case, Hakimi applied for the case to be dismissed during the hearing.
The court is expected to deliver its ruling on the application on 19 June. This date coincides with Hakimi’s participation in the 2026 World Cup, the same source confirmed.
If the appeal fails and the charges are not reduced to a lesser offence, the player will face trial on a yet-to-be-scheduled date.
In February 2023, a 24-year-old woman reported to police in the Val-de-Marne area, southeast of Paris, that Hakimi had raped her.
Authorities formally charged Hakimi and placed him under judicial supervision. In February, a decision was taken to proceed with a trial.
Hakimi denies all allegations.
READ ALSO: Hakimi, Set To Face Trial For Rape, In PSG Champions League Matchday Squad
His lawyer, Fanny Colin, declined to comment when contacted by AFP.
However, during an earlier referral hearing, she argued that “the accusation rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations, refused all medical examinations and DNA tests, and refused to give the name of key witnesses”.
The complainant stated that she met Hakimi on Instagram in January 2023 and later travelled to his home by taxi arranged by him, according to a police source. She alleged that he kissed and touched her without consent before raping her. She further claimed she pushed him away and contacted a friend, who came to collect her.
Hakimi joined PSG in 2021 from Inter Milan, having previously played for Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. He is expected to feature for PSG in the Champions League final against Arsenal on 30 May in Budapest.