Hakimi Denies Rape Allegations: "I Have a Clear Conscience"

The Moroccan international footballer Achraf Hakimi, a defender for the French club Paris Saint-Germain, has denied the rape allegations against him, calling them a "lie" and stating that he has a "clear conscience."

Hakimi's Statements and the Defense's Stance

In an interview with the "Clique" program on the Canal Plus channel, Hakimi said, "I know what I'm accused of is a lie. I know I didn't do anything, and I never would." He added that he has always been available to the police and expressed his hope that "the truth will emerge soon."

The Nanterre Public Prosecutor's Office had requested in August that the player be referred to the regional criminal court for allegedly raping a young woman in February 2023.

Blackmail Allegations and Lawyer's Response

In his interview, Hakimi referred to the "blackmail" that professional footballers are frequently subjected to, a claim rejected by the plaintiff's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo.

Pardo stated that the "judicial investigation was able to gather all the necessary evidence to describe the rape crime suffered by my client," adding that "nothing in this case suggests any attempt at blackmail." She accused Hakimi of trying to "create a counter-reaction," which she described as "not working."