Hakimi called up by PSG despite trial for alleged rape

Paris – Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi has been included in Luis Enrique’s squad for the crucial match against Monaco, corresponding to the second leg of the Champions League play-off. The match will be played this Wednesday, one day after Hakimi was summoned by a court to be tried.The court summons is due to a complaint of alleged rape filed by a young woman.The 27-year-old player has appealed the decision of the investigating judges to send him to trial.The club, for its part, has chosen to support its player, who is the second captain of the team, relying on the presumption of innocence.Hakimi is likely to start at the Parc des Princes, where the Parisian team will seek to secure their place in the round of 16 of the Champions League, after having won the first leg at the Louis II stadium with a score of 2-3.The PSG has not issued any official statement since the rape complaint against the Moroccan player became public in February 2023.In the press conference prior to the match against Monaco, coach Luis Enrique limited himself to stating that the case is “in the hands of justice”.Through his social media, Hakimi has denied the accusations, stating that “everything proves they are false.” He also expressed his intention to face the situation “calmly,” awaiting for “the truth to resurface publicly.”