French court upholds rape trial for PSG footballer Achraf Hakimi

A French appellate court has upheld a decision to proceed with a rape trial against Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco international Achraf Hakimi, effectively exhausting his legal options to have the case dismissed.

The ruling comes after Hakimi's legal team sought to challenge an earlier decision by investigating magistrates to bring the case to trial. The appeals court's confirmation of the lower court's decision removes his final recourse in the preliminary proceedings phase.

Hakimi, a prominent defender for the Ligue 1 club and Moroccan national team, was accused of rape in Paris in 2023. He has maintained his innocence throughout the legal process.

The confirmation means the case will now proceed to trial, where evidence will be presented and a verdict reached. The footballer's legal team has not yet indicated whether they plan to pursue further avenues, including potential challenges at higher court levels once the trial commences.