PSG defender Achraf Hakimi charged with rape

Five days since a formal indictment was first made, Achraf Hakimi has reportedly been formally charged.

French prosecutors have charged Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi with rape, according to various reports.

An unnamed 24-year-old woman has accused Hakimi of raping her. The AFP has reported that she went to a police station on Sunday, February 26. Prosecutors later questioned her on Wednesday.

The report alleges that Hakimi paid his accuser to visit him at his home in Paris last Saturday. His wife, Hiba Abouk, and two children were away on holiday.

The 24-year-old Morocco international’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, insists her client has welcomed the charge, saying: “he finally has the possibility to defend himself.”

“In my opinion, it follows from the documents which are in the hands of the judicial police that Mr. Hakimi has, in this case, been the subject of an attempted racketeering,” she added to the French paper, L’Equipe.

Police have not detained Hakimi in custody, and while the player is nursing a hamstring injury, he trained with PSG on Friday.

In a statement, the club said: “PSG is an institution that promotes respect on and off the pitch.”

PSG manager Christophe Galtier refused to answer any non-football questions about Hakimi during a press conference on that same day.

The Ligue 1 leaders will play Nantes at the Parc des Princes on Saturday. For match details and betting tips, visit the Ace Football preview here.