Morocco manager Walid Regragui has publically lent his support to Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi (24) amidst a formal investigation into rape allegations against the Moroccan international.
As reported earlier in the month by AFP, Hakimi has been charged with rape. The alleged incident took place in late February with the 24-year-old woman later going to a local police station, claiming to have been raped by the PSG player Although she did not initially want to press charges, but the case was taken up by the Créteil prosecutor’s office, and later by the Nanterre prosecutor’s office.
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, has denied the accusations, whilst PSG are also standing in support of the player. The Moroccan is under legal supervision.
Despite the formal investigation, Hakimi is free to travel and play abroad. He recently featured in PSG’s Champions League loss to Bayern Munich in Germany and has now been called up by Regragui for international friendlies against Brazil and Peru later this month.
In the presentation of his squad, Regragui defended Hakimi, stating that the player is innocent until proven guilty. “We are with him (Hakimi). There is a presumption of innocence until he is proven guilty. We, and all Moroccans, are behind Achraf. We are fully behind him and it will be good for him to come back to Morocco and feel our support,” said Regragui in a press conference, transcribed by L’Équipe.
GFFN | Luke Entwistle
About Author
