Hakimi accused of rape in Moroccan soccer squad
NOS Football–
Achraf Hakimi has been included in the Moroccan soccer squad despite being charged with rape. Morocco will play practice matches against Brazil and Peru later this month.
“We are behind him and that is the most important thing,” Moroccan national team coach Walid Regragui said of the Paris Saint-Germain defender. “He is innocent until proven guilty. The selection and all the Moroccans support him.”
The alleged victim, a 24-year-old woman, reported to police last month. Hakimi allegedly raped her at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt, in a Paris suburb. She says she eventually managed to flee the house.
French police have launched an investigation into Paris Saint-Germain’s Moroccan defender.
Hakimi is a Moroccan international and was one of the key players in Morocco’s success at the World Cup in Qatar last December, where the country reached the semifinals.
His club Paris Saint-Germain said earlier that the footballer is still in the squad. “We support our player and have confidence in the operation of the court,” he said.
