Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi was charged with preliminary rape, Nanterre’s prosecutorial department told ESPN Friday.
A preliminary investigation has been opened against Hakimi last week after a 23-year-old woman went to the police station to report he raped her.
The woman did not press charges, but the gravity of her testimony meant the prosecutor’s office still decided to open an investigation.
The prosecutor’s office in the Paris suburb of Nanterre said Hakimi was questioned on Thursday by investigators probing the rape allegations. He was later prosecuted by an investigative judge and placed under judicial supervision.
Hakimi is facing preliminary rape charges. Under French law, that means there is reason to suspect a crime has been committed, but it allows judges more time to investigate before deciding whether to bring the case to trial.
The Maroc International was placed under police surveillance and barred from contacting the alleged victim, the prosecutor’s office said. Players were allowed to leave French territory, prosecutors added.
Neither Hakimi nor PSG have made any public statements about the investigation, but Sources have told ESPN that the player denies any charges against him.
Hakimi’s attorney, Fanny Colin, later issued a statement that read: “According to existing police elements that M. Hakimi, in this case, was the victim of a fraudulent scheme. “
According to his lawyer, the alleged victim “refused to press charges, refused to submit himself to any medical or psychological examination and refused to confront Achraf Hakimi directly when the accusations only based on her words.”
“Achraf Hakimi strongly denies the allegations against him during police questioning,” added Colin. “Being charged gives M. Hakimi the ability to defend himself with a lot of rights, especially access to case files.”
Ahead of Friday’s developments, sources told ESPN that Hakimi – who has been sidelined with a leg injury – will be available for his club’s game against Nantes on Saturday.
The news comes at a pivotal time for PSG, five days before the Champions League last-16 second leg against PSG. Bayern Munich.
“The purpose with our medical staff is to [Hakimi] to get ready for the match against Bayern,” PSG coach Christophe Galtier told a news conference on Friday, declining to comment on the investigation.
Hakimi attended the FIFA Best awards ceremony in Paris on Monday, where he was selected for the 2022 FIFPRO World XI.
Hakimi, 24, joins PSG in 2021 and helped the club win the title last season. He also played an important role in leading Morocco to the semi-finals at this year’s tournament. World Cup.
Information from Reuters and the Associated Press was included in this report.
