When Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi touched the ball against Scotland in the World Cup, a chorus of boos rang out from the Tartan Army – a direct response to news that the Paris St-Germain defender will stand trial for rape. The moment laid bare the collision between football stardom and serious criminal allegations, raising questions about how the sport handles such cases and what justice looks like when the accused is a global icon.
The rape accusation against Hakimi dates back to March 2023, when a 24-year-old woman told French police she was raped at his home in a Paris suburb. The public prosecutor's office in Nanterre opened a preliminary investigation, and in February 2026 an investigating judge ordered a trial – a decision Hakimi's legal team failed to overturn on appeal. He has consistently denied the allegations, writing on social media that "the justice system looked me in the eye and said, 'If you weren't famous, there would never have been a case.'" His trial date has not yet been set, but it is expected to take place after Morocco's World Cup campaign ends.
“Why Morocco captain faces trial for rape and what it means for football”
To understand the situation, it helps to know how French criminal procedure works. After an accusation, prosecutors can open a preliminary investigation. If sufficient evidence is found, an investigating judge (juge d'instruction) can order a full trial. The accused can appeal that order, as Hakimi did. The Versailles appeals court upheld the trial decision, stating that investigations had found enough evidence to proceed. Hakimi remains under judicial supervision with a restraining order barring contact with the alleged victim.
The case matters for UK readers because it touches on how football authorities and fans respond to serious charges against players. Hakimi's treatment by Scotland supporters – jeered on every touch – echoes the public scrutiny faced by other footballers accused of sexual offences. In a separate incident, Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey was denied entry to Canada for the World Cup because he faces rape charges in the UK; Canada's government can bar entry to anyone who has "committed or been convicted of a crime." This raises the possibility that Hakimi could face similar travel restrictions if Morocco's knockout matches are scheduled in Canada or Mexico.
Hakimi's own words have added a layer of complexity. He claims his fame made him a target: "I became an easy target." The plaintiff's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said the decision to go to trial brought her client "relief and hope" after being "defamed and dragged through the mud" by the defence. Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi said the team is "behind" its captain, who played "extraordinarily" against Scotland.
Q: What is Achraf Hakimi accused of? He is accused of raping a 24-year-old woman at his home in Paris in 2023. The woman alleges they met on Instagram and were later invited to his house. French prosecutors have gathered enough evidence to order a trial.
Q: Why was Hakimi booed by Scotland fans? The booing happened hours after news broke that a French appeals court had confirmed he must stand trial. Scotland supporters targeted him during Morocco's World Cup group match in Boston, USA.
Q: Could the rape trial affect his World Cup participation? Potentially. If Morocco reach the knockout stages and matches are scheduled in Canada or Mexico, Hakimi could face entry problems. Canada can deny entry to anyone charged with a crime; Thomas Partey of Ghana was recently denied entry to Canada for similar reasons.
What happens next is uncertain. No trial date has been set, but it will likely occur after Morocco's World Cup involvement ends. Hakimi continues to play while on bail. The case will test how football, fans and the legal system navigate allegations of serious sexual offences against high-profile athletes.