World Cup Trial

Achraf Hakimi will captain Morocco against Canada while facing a rape trial in France, turning one of the World Cup’s biggest games into a far more complicated spotlight. The contrast between his role on the pitch and the criminal case waiting off it is now impossible to ignore. The situation has drawn fresh attention after the Toronto Star’s Joe Callaghan questioned whether Hakimi should be playing at all following Morocco’s win over Scotland. Scottish fans booed him in Boston, and ITV analyst Ally McCoist said during the broadcast that he was not sure why the reaction was so intense. The case behind the headlines The allegations date back to February 2023, when a woman told French police she had been raped at Hakimi’s home outside Paris. He was formally placed under investigation days later and has denied wrongdoing throughout. After years of legal fighting, France’s Versailles Court of Appeal ruled on June 19 that there was enough evidence for the case to go to trial. According to reporting cited by heavy.com from Tom Burrows of The Athletic, French investigating judges review evidence for and against a suspect before deciding whether a case proceeds. The accuser’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said six judges agreed the evidence was strong enough to indict. No trial date has been set yet, though the hearing is expected this fall in the Hauts-de-Seine criminal court. Key Detail Information Match Morocco vs. Canada Role Morocco captain Legal status Formally charged and awaiting trial in France Current court step Versailles Court of Appeal ruled the case should go to trial Expected timing This fall Hakimi’s response and Morocco’s backing Hakimi has continued to reject the accusations and says he has waited years for the case to be heard. After the June 19 ruling, he said, “Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth.” He added, “I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak.” The accuser also spoke publicly, telling Mediapart that she has felt “alone, unsupported and not understood,” and that she wants a trial “to defend myself, to be heard.” Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi has backed his captain, describing Hakimi as “extraordinary” and “the best right-back in the world.” The football side of the story remains straightforward for now: Hakimi is set to lead Morocco against Canada. The legal side, however, will follow him into the months ahead as the trial moves closer in France. Read more at: heavy.com

Hakimi Heads Into Canada Match Under Trial Shadow, Morocco Stands Firm Behind Him