A French court on Friday confirmed that Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi will stand trial for rape. The 27-year-old footballer who plays for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), said he was “eagerly awaiting” his trial.

In a post on X, Hakimi denied the allegations and said the trial will finally enable him ” to speak”.

In February 2023, a woman then aged 24 told police in the Val-De-Marne region southeast of Paris that Hakimi had raped her. 

The PSG player and captain of the Moroccan national team, whose side are playing their second World Cup match on Friday against Scotland, has consistently denied the allegations.

This is an unfolding story, more to come.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)