French prosecutors have accused Achraf Hakimi, a defender for Paris Saint-Germain, of rape after looking into complaints made by a 24-year-old woman.
The Moroccan national was questioned on Thursday by detectives looking into rape claims, and after being indicted by a court looking into the matter, he was placed under judicial supervision.
He is permitted to leave French territory but is forbidden from speaking to the claimed victim. The 24-year-old Achraf Hakimi is a standout defender for the Moroccan National Team. Last year he helped the nation achieve World Cup history by becoming the first African squad to attend the semifinals. He worked as a defender for Paris Saint-Germain and was spotted on Friday during practice.
The Paris prosecutor’s office initiated the preliminary investigation into the claims on Monday. In response to the allegations, Hakimi has not yet released a public statement, and demands for comment from his attorney have gone unanswered.
Only a few days after Hakimi received an on-stage award at the FIFA Awards in Paris, word of the indictment broke. He was presented and received enthusiastic applause for being a player-selected men’s all-star squad member. The charges against Hakimi stunned the football community since he is a well-liked player who his teammates and rivals revere.
He might spend as much as 15 years in jail if proven guilty. The affair has also rocked the Paris Saint-Germain organization, and the team has declined to comment. Given that Hakimi is a crucial squad member, how they will respond to the issue is still being determined.
The charges have also raised concerns about French and global football culture. The case emphasizes the need for more education and understanding about issues like sexual harassment, consent, and other topics frequently disregarded in football.
The case spurs the debate regarding whether or not accused athletes should be permitted to play during the inquiry. While some have suggested that the accused should be placed on leave while the investigation is ongoing, others have claimed that doing so may unfairly harm the accused’s image and career.
The need for additional education and understanding regarding sexual harassment, consent, and other concerns in football has been brought to light by this case. The course of this case is still uncertain, but it has undoubtedly generated interest and sparked a necessary conversation about consent and sexual harassment in the football community.