Achraf Hakimi: The accusation of rape against me is false

Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi, a player for Paris Saint-Germain, expressed his confidence and composure regarding the accusations leveled against him, asserting that they are baseless. This marked his first public comment since the case was referred to the courts. Hakimi's remarks came during the press conference preceding his team's highly anticipated match against Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-finals. This was a notable move, as it was his first media appearance since the legal proceedings began and the case was referred to the local criminal court. The Moroccan star stated that his position has been clear from the outset, explaining that he is facing what he described as false accusations. He added that he is handling the situation calmly and with complete focus on his sporting career, while leaving the legal aspects to the judicial process and his lawyers. Hakimi emphasized that his current focus is entirely on the important Champions League match, stressing that his performance on the pitch is his sole concern at this stage, while the legal case remains outside the scope of his immediate sporting interests. These developments come amid extensive media coverage of the case, which dates back to 2023 when a young woman filed a complaint with the authorities. Legal proceedings have since unfolded over the past few months, culminating in the decision to refer the case to trial. Despite the controversy surrounding the case, Hakimi continues to prepare with his Paris Saint-Germain teammates for the crucial European match, with the club focusing heavily on the sporting aspects given the importance of the encounter in their continental campaign.