As Morocco prepares to take on France in a World Cup quarterfinal at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) on Thursday, July 9, in a rematch of a 2022 semi-final, what should be a competitive and hard-fought fixture between two of the world's top teams carries an unfortunate distinction.
For the second time in seven World Cup matches in Foxboro, a player will go up against a national team from a country where he is currently facing rape charges.
Atlas Lions captain and defender Achraf Hakimi, who plays for Ligue 1 giants and back-to-back Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, is set to stand trial in France on a charge of rape stemming from an alleged **** ault in 2023. For his case, the 27-year-old strongly denies the allegations and says he looks forward to his day in court.
Ahead of kickoff, in what will be Hakimi and Morocco's second match at Boston Stadium this summer, here's what you need to know about the Moroccan captain and his legal case.
Hakimi is a 27-year-old right back who plays for PSG and captains the Morocco Men's National Team. Born in Madrid and raised in its suburb Getafe to Moroccan parents, Hakimi's talents became apparent at a young age. At 8, he signed as a youth player for Club Deportivo Colonia Ofigevi, then moved over to the famed Real Madrid academy a year later. Initially a winger, he was moved to being a more offensive-minded right wing back during his time in Los Blancos' youth setup.
For the second time in seven World Cup matches in Foxboro, a player will go up against a national team from a country where he is currently facing rape charges.
Atlas Lions captain and defender Achraf Hakimi, who plays for Ligue 1 giants and back-to-back Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, is set to stand trial in France on a charge of rape stemming from an alleged **** ault in 2023. For his case, the 27-year-old strongly denies the allegations and says he looks forward to his day in court.
Ahead of kickoff, in what will be Hakimi and Morocco's second match at Boston Stadium this summer, here's what you need to know about the Moroccan captain and his legal case.
Hakimi is a 27-year-old right back who plays for PSG and captains the Morocco Men's National Team. Born in Madrid and raised in its suburb Getafe to Moroccan parents, Hakimi's talents became apparent at a young age. At 8, he signed as a youth player for Club Deportivo Colonia Ofigevi, then moved over to the famed Real Madrid academy a year later. Initially a winger, he was moved to being a more offensive-minded right wing back during his time in Los Blancos' youth setup.
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