Achraf Hakimi's World Cup night was defined less by the football than by a French appeals court ruling that confirmed he will stand trial for rape. Hours before Morocco played Scotland on 19 June, the decision landed in public view. Hakimi then walked into a stadium where the reaction made the legal case part of the match itself.

Hakimi's response to the ruling

Hakimi did not stay silent after the ruling. Speaking to the media, he said: "I have been waiting for this trial since the first day. And I am now waiting for it impatiently."

He also argued that fame shaped how the case developed. "Justice looked me in the eye and told me: 'If you were not famous, there would never have been a case,'" he said.

That is the line Hakimi has chosen to stand on, and it is the one most likely to follow him through this case. The player has not accepted the idea that the ruling settles guilt, and he has put the focus on the process itself.

The plaintiff's side is pushing in the opposite direction. Rachel-Flore Pardo said she hoped the trial would help other women and further weaken "the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including within the world of men's football."

The reaction on the pitch

The crowd response was immediate. Hakimi was loudly jeered every time he touched the ball in Morocco's second Group C game after the ruling was announced.

Morocco still beat Scotland 1-0, after drawing 1-1 with Brazil in their opening game. The football result matters, but it did not take over the evening. The court decision and the stadium reaction made this a story about reputation, scrutiny and how football handles allegations of sexual violence when the player involved is one of the team’s biggest names.

Hakimi remained involved in the game as well. Against Netherlands in the match listed in the data, he completed 97 passes, made 2 key passes and attempted 2 shots, while his match rating was 6.7. Even with the hostility around him, he was still part of Morocco's build-up and attacking play.

The next step is simple enough. The court process is still moving, no trial date has been announced, and Hakimi's name will stay attached to that ruling until the case reaches its next stage.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →