Achraf Hakimi addresses sexual assault investigation

Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco star Achraf Hakimi has publicly addressed an ongoing sexual assault investigation, which saw him accused of the crime in Paris in 2023. He has denied all wrongdoing, but had thus far kept silent on the matter until now.

Hakimi, 26, was first accused of sexual assault in 2023, and French police opened an investigation into the matter after the victim came to the police. It seems that the case will make to trial after police decided to formally bring an accusation against Hakimi last month.

‘It’s a lie’ – Achraf Hakimi denies rape accusation

For his part, Hakimi has always denied the incident took place, and Diario AS have quoted his words from an interview with Canal+, where he addressed it.

“For me, it’s the hardest thing that’s ever happened to me. And the truth is, it’s the hardest blow I’ve ever suffered. I think it was pretty hard for me, and it still is, because when they keep telling lie after lie, it hurts. It hurts for my family, for my children, who are young and don’t know what the internet or reading is. I know that at some point in their lives they’ll read things, and for me, seeing that something about their father has been written and on top of that, it’s a lie, is not very pleasant, and I honestly wouldn’t wish that on them.”

The PSG star explained that his lawyer informed him of the police charge, but stated that he was relaxed on the matter.

“I think my lawyer told me so. We knew this could happen. We’re calm. I know what I’ve been accused of. It’s a lie. I know who I am. I know I haven’t done anything. And I never would. I asked to speak to the police, to them, to explain my version. Always when they’ve needed me for anything… What’s more, they have my DNA. Whatever they needed, I was available, unlike the person accusing me, who didn’t make things easy. Thanks to the police’s work, we’ve been able to find quite a few good things. The truth is, I’m calm. I know I’m in good hands with my lawyer. Justice is doing its work, and I hope the truth comes out soon.”

‘Footballers are exposed to a lot of things’ – Hakimi

The former Real Madrid right-back, who came through the system at Valdebebas, was conscious of the vulnerable nature of footballers.

“We’re exposed to a lot of things, we’re exposed to things like girls approaching us. Blackmail… I think there are a lot of people in the world of football who take advantage of us. And if you don’t have people around you, these things happen to you.”

“They’ve stained my dignity, because I know what’s really going on, especially in the fact that they’re accusing me of being false. And when you’re falsely accused, it’s not good. I wouldn’t want that to happen to anyone.”

Hakimi split from wife Hiba Abouk

Shortly after the allegations became public, his then wife Hiba Abouk announced that they were separating. She did not weigh in on the allegations, affirming her ‘faith in the justice system,’ but thereafter noting that she ‘would always be on the side of the victims’. Hakimi’s career has not been affected by the matter, recently coming sixth in the Ballon d’Or voting, and winning the Champions League with PSG.