At a time when he is in the form of his life and a serious contender for the Ballon d'Or, the past could be catching up with Achraf Hakimi.
In February 2023, following contacts initiated on Instagram, the PSG player invited a 24-year-old woman to his home and ordered a VTC for the occasion.
According to the woman, Hakimi "kissed her on the mouth and breasts through her clothes, without her consent", as Le Parisien put it.
"She protested to the player, but he continued to touch her until she was raped. After a forced embrace, she allegedly managed to push the player away with her foot before leaving the scene. Shocked, she reportedly sent a text message to a friend asking her to come and get her.
"The friend confirmed the alleged victim's words and condition to the police."
The same day, she reported the incident to a police station, without initially lodging a complaint. As soon as this was done, the Moroccan full-back was charged with rape on 3 March 2023.
Following the police custody, a judicial investigation was opened by the public prosecutor's office, and the player was placed under judicial supervision.
A confrontation took place on 8 December 2023: the complainant reiterated her claims, which Hakimi has always contested, believing that it was a plot for financial gain, or even an "attempt at racketeering" according to his lawyer.
'Incomprehensible and senseless' indictments
However, on Friday, August 1st, again according to Le Parisien, in a final indictment, "the Nanterre public prosecutor's office called for the 26-year-old Moroccan international footballer to be brought before the criminal court".
While Hakimi's lawyer is relieved by this decision, she considers the indictment "incomprehensible and senseless in view of the evidence in the case.
"It establishes the lies of the plaintiff, in particular through the psychological assessments carried out on her. Achraf Hakimi and I remain as serene as we were at the start of the proceedings. If the charges are upheld, we will, of course, pursue all avenues of appeal."
Presumed innocent, the player has been supported by PSG since the opening of the investigation.