On Friday, Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, who was one of the stars of Morocco's historic run to the World Cup semi-finals last year, was charged with rape.
Prosecutors questioned Hakimi, 24, on Thursday about allegations made by an unidentified 24-year-old woman. Hakimi was charged.
On Friday, the player from Madrid went to work out with his teammates.
A spokesperson for PSG stated that the team "places its trust in the justice system" and "gives its support" to Hakimi.
The player's attorney stated that the player denies the allegations and welcomes the opportunity to clear his name.
Hakimi allegedly paid for his accuser to travel to his home in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb of Paris, on Saturday while his family was on vacation.
According to people familiar with the case, the woman went to a police station on Sunday and was questioned by prosecutors on Wednesday.
Prosecutors decided to charge the player despite the woman's refusal to make a formal accusation.
Hakimi was a key member of Morocco's team in Qatar, where they became the first African or Arab nation to reach the World Cup semi-finals.
He was named to the FIFPro men's world team of the year at the FIFA Best awards ceremony on Monday in Paris.
Hakimi's attorney, Fanny Colin, said that he "firmly denies all the accusations against him" and was the victim of "an attempted racket."
She stated that "he finally has the possibility to defend himself" and that Hakimi accepted the charge that was brought against him.
Colin stated that the accuser of Hakimi had "refused to have a medical or psychological examination" and "refused to make a formal accusation."
The lawyer for the alleged victim, Rachel-Flore Pardo, told AFP:
"My client keeps her word in every way. She chose to speak only with prosecutors and does not want the affair to be reported in the media, primarily for her own safety.
In accordance with French law, being charged does not always mean that the case will be tried.
– "Returning to action": PSG, the defending champions of France, host Nantes on Saturday at home before traveling to Germany on Wednesday to try to overcome a 1-0 first-leg deficit against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last 16.
The club stated that Hakimi will return to action "next week," despite the fact that he has been receiving treatment for a thigh injury.
Christophe Galtier, the coach of PSG, declined to discuss the specifics of the case but stated on Friday: The objective is for him to be available for the game against Bayern.
Hakimi is free to leave France despite the legal proceedings against him.
Hakimi was a member of Real Madrid's youth program before signing with Borussia Dortmund in 2018 to play in the Bundesliga. He then played 73 games for the German club.
In 2020, he moved to Inter Milan, and in 2021, he moved to PSG. There, he became an important part of the team and developed a close friendship with the star forward Kylian Mbappe.
This season, he has played 31 games for PSG in all competitions.
Content created and supplied by: Ogidimartins (via Opera News )
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