Achraf Hakimi has appealed to France’s Court of Cassation after a court upheld a decision to refer him to a criminal court over a rape allegation dating back to 2023, as the Morocco captain continues to lead his country at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender, who has consistently denied the allegation, filed the appeal after the Versailles Court of Appeal confirmed a previous ruling by an investigating judge ordering that the case proceed to trial.
The move to France’s highest court comes while Hakimi is preparing for Morocco’s Round of 32 clash against the Netherlands, following the Atlas Lions’ successful group-stage campaign in the United States.
According to a source close to the investigation, the appeal to the Court of Cassation is intended to examine whether the law was correctly applied by the lower courts rather than to reconsider the facts of the case.
Hakimi has maintained his innocence throughout the legal process since the case was opened in 2023.
Shortly after the appeals court’s decision, the 27-year-old responded on social media, saying he had been waiting for the matter to reach trial.
“I have been waiting for this trial from the beginning. Finally, I can speak,” he wrote.
In a separate reaction, Hakimi indicated that he did not regard the decision to proceed to trial as a setback.
“Justice looked me in the eye and told me: ‘If you weren’t a public figure, there would never have been a case,'” Hakimi added.
The Morocco captain also said he had remained silent for more than three years because he trusted the judicial process and was now looking forward to presenting his version of events before the court.
His lawyer, Fanny Colin, also reiterated the defender’s position, insisting the latest ruling should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt.
Colin said the appeals court’s decision “was expected” and argued that investigators had uncovered evidence favourable to Hakimi during the inquiry.
She also criticised what she described as inconsistencies in the complainant’s account and maintained that the defence would present its case before the criminal court.
The legal proceedings have unfolded during one of the busiest periods of Hakimi’s career.
The defender has continued to feature prominently for Paris Saint-Germain while captaining Morocco at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions progressed to the Round of 32 after finishing second in Group C with seven points, ending the group stage behind Brazil only on goal difference.
Morocco now face the Netherlands in the knockout phase as they attempt to build on their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup.
Despite the legal developments, Morocco’s coaching staff have publicly backed their captain.
Following the team’s 1-0 victory over Scotland during the group stage, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi expressed confidence in Hakimi’s ability to remain focused.
“We have nothing to say. We’re right behind him, we’re very calm, he’s very calm.”
