French journalist Bruno Poncet has called on Achraf Hakimi to temporarily step away from football and suspend his playing career with Paris Saint-Germain until the conclusion of his upcoming trial on rape charges.
Poncet’s demand follows the decision by the French Court of Cassation to reject Hakimi’s final appeal against his referral to the Criminal Court, exhausting the defender’s primary legal avenue to avoid standing trial.
Speaking on the Grandes Gueules program, Poncet stated: “My love for Paris Saint-Germain cannot override my values,” arguing that his allegiance to the club does not justify overlooking the severity of the case or advocating for the player to continue as normal.
“Achraf Hakimi’s career should be placed on hold until the trial takes place, allowing him the time to defend himself properly,” Poncet added, indicating that he believes the Moroccan international should voluntarily take a leave of absence ahead of a verdict.
Poncet linked the ongoing legal proceedings to Hakimi’s recent dip in form, suggesting that the psychological weight and media scrutiny surrounding the case may be taking a toll on his performances on the pitch.
He drew parallels to his previous public stance regarding French actor Gérard Depardieu, asserting that consistency with his core principles prevents him from making an exception simply because the individual involved plays for Paris Saint-Germain.
While Poncet emphasized that the exhaustion of legal appeals necessitates a temporary withdrawal, his statement represents a personal opinion rather than an official directive from PSG, the French Football Federation (FFF), or judicial authorities.
The case dates back to February 2023, when a young woman accused Hakimi of sexual assault at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt. Prosecutors requested his referral to trial in August 2025, a decision subsequently upheld by the investigating magistrate and the Court of Appeal.
Hakimi has consistently denied all allegations since the inception of the investigation, with his defense maintaining that inconsistencies in the testimony favor his innocence. A trial date—expected sometime in 2027—has not yet been set, and the player continues to retain the presumption of innocence until a final judicial verdict is delivered.
