Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been ordered to stand trial after being accused of rape.
Hakimi was given preliminary charges of rape in March 2023 after a 24-year-old woman accused him. She said she was raped by Hakimi at his home in a Paris suburb.
Hakimi has denied the allegations against him while speaking on social media.
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, said she will appeal the judge’s decision that followed recommendations from the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office, which last August called for the player to stand trial.
Colin said a date for the trial has not been set.
Rachel-Flore Pardo, who represents the plaintiff, told the Associated Press her client welcomed the order committing the case to trial “with relief,” adding it “is fully consistent with the evidence in the file.”
In the French legal system, preliminary charges mean judges have strong reason to suspect a crime was committed but are allowing time for further investigation before deciding whether to send a case to trial.
PSG coach Luis Enrique was asked in a news conference on Tuesday, ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League game against Monaco, about Hakimi’s case, where he said: “This is in the hands of the justice system.”
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