PSG's Achraf Hakimi to stand trial after serious assault allegation

Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi has stated that he will stand trial following a serious assault accusation made against him.

The accusation stems from a February 2023 incident in which a then 24-year-old woman accused the Moroccan player of assaulting her at his home outside of Paris. The public prosecutor's office in the city's suburb of Nanterre began a preliminary investigation the following month.

Hakimi has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

"Today, an accusation is enough to justify a trial," he posted on X. "This is as unjust to the innocent as it is to the genuine victims. I calmly await this trial, which will allow the truth to come out publicly."

Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, confirmed the order for a trial on Tuesday, with the trial date not yet set.

"A trial has been ordered on the basis of an accusation that rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations, refused all medical examinations and DNA tests, refused to allow her mobile phone to be examined, and refused to give the name of a key witness," Colin said in a statement.

Hakimi, 27, has made 194 appearances for PSG, and the vice captain was named to the club's initial squad for Wednesday's match against Monaco in the second leg of the club's Champions League knockout round playoff tie.

PSG coach Luis Enrique said during a press conference on Tuesday ahead of the Monaco match that, "this matter is in the hands of the authorities."

Born in Spain, Hakimi represents Morocco on the international stage and helped the team become the first African side to reach the World Cup semifinals when they did so in Qatar in 2022.