PSG star charged with rape by French prosecutors

Morocco and Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has been charged with rape.

The prosecutor said Hakimi was inquired about on Thursday by investigators probing rape allegations. He was then indicted by an investigating judge and placed under judicial supervision.

Hakimi, 24, is prohibited from contacting the alleged victim, a 24-year-old woman who says she was raped by Hakimi on Saturday at his home in a Paris suburb. Hakimi is allowed to leave French territory, prosecutors said.

The Madrid-born defender helped Morocco make World Cup history last year by becoming the first African team to reach the tournament’s semifinals. He was seen training with PSG on Friday.

Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, released a statement that read: “According to the elements currently at the disposal of the police that A. Hakimi, in this case, is the victim of an attempt of racketeering.”

According to his lawyer, the alleged victim “refused to press charges, refused to submit herself to any medical or psychological exams and refused to confront in person Achraf Hakimi when the accusations only rely on her words.”

“Achraf Hakimi strongly denied the accusations against him during his police interview,” Colin added. “Being charged gives A. Hakimi the possibility to defend himself with a lot of rights, especially to have access to the case file.”

Hakimi, who has been out with a leg injury would be available for his club’s league match against Nantes on Saturday.

The news comes at a crucial moment for PSG, five days ahead of their Champions League round-of-16 second-leg match against Bayern Munich.