Morocco Calls Up Hakimi Amid France Rape Investigation
Posted : 06 April 2023
Achraf Hakimi was drafted into the Moroccan team on Monday for friendlies against Brazil and Peru despite being charged with rape in France.
The defender for Paris Saint-Germain is supported by the nation, according to Morocco's coach Walid Regragui.
"For us, and all Moroccans, we are behind Achraf," Regragui stated during a press conference to reveal his first team following the team's remarkable run to the World Cup semifinals.
"He has the presumption of innocence until it's proven to the contrary."
On March 3, prosecutors in the Nanterre area filed preliminary charges of rape against Hakimi.
A 24-year-old woman claimed that Hakimi sexually assaulted her at his home, but his attorney claimed that it was all part of a rico plot.
Hakimi was permitted to leave France and competed for PSG against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last week.
On March 25, Morocco will host Brazil in Tangier before taking on Peru three days later in Madrid.
"I speak with Achraf often like I do lots of players," Regragui said when asked Monday about Hakimi. "He's calm, that's most important. He's someone who is strong on the pitch and beyond the pitch.
"We have to think of football first," the coach said. "He has people taking care of his business for him."
The year before last, Morocco became the first African team to advance to the World Cup semifinals. The group stage victory over Belgium was followed by victories over Spain and Portugal in the knockout stages.
Morocco suffered a semifinal defeat to France before falling to Croatia in the third-place match.
Hakimi was chosen for the World XI team in a player poll conducted by the international union FIFPRO as a result of his outstanding achievements in Qatar.
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