Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Achraf Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, has issued a forceful statement after her client was accused of rape. Colin claimed that her client is completely innocent and she is the victim of an embezzlement attempt.
According to ESPN, a 24-year-old woman went to police last week accusing the PSG right-back of rape. She did not press charges, but her testimony forced the prosecution to open an investigation.
On Friday (March 3), the prosecutor’s office in the Paris suburb of Nanterre revealed that investigators questioned Hakimi on Thursday (March 2). Following the investigation, the Moroccan player was accused of rape and placed under police surveillance.
BREAKING: Achraf Hakimi is being accused of rape.
🚨 BREAKING: Achraf Hakimi is being accused of rape. (Source: AFP) https://t.co/osI20zksix
After the latest events, Colin reaffirmed his client’s innocence, arguing that the alleged victim did not present sufficient evidence. His statement, published by L’Equipe, said:
“During his hearing, held at his express request, Achraf Hakimi flatly denied the accusations made against him. I remind you that the prosecution measure that followed this hearing is mandatory for everyone who is the subject of an accusation of rape and finally offers Mr. Hakimi the possibility to defend himself by opening a large number of rights, first of all that of reading the archive.”
She added:
“After the few hours of hearing, I remember, for my part, that the informant refused to file a complaint, refused to submit to the slightest medical or psychological examination and refused to be confronted with Achraf Hakimi despite the fact that the prosecution did not rest solely on his words.
“In my opinion, from the documents, which are in the hands of the judicial police, it appears that Mr. Hakimi, in this case, has been the object of an extortion attempt.”
Achraf Hakimi’s situation could hurt PSG in the UEFA Champions League clash with Bayern Munich
Although PSG have refrained from issuing a statement of support for Achraf Hakimi, Le Parisien believes that the French team is on the player’s side.
In the report, the French outlet claimed that PSG had carried out an investigation and found that Hakimi deserved their support. The former Real Madrid player was also seen training with the team on Thursday (March 2), preparing for the Ligue 1 clash against Nantes on Saturday (March 4).
After Friday’s ruling, PSG could reverse their stance and impose a temporary ban on the player to protect themselves from public criticism. In that case, they would lose one of his best creative outlets, who has scored four goals and provided five assists in 31 inter-competition games.
The Parisians will be without Neymar in their UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg against Bayern Munich on Wednesday (March 8).
If Hakimi is also ruled out, Christophe Galtier’s side could struggle to reverse the 1-0 first leg.