What happened: A French appeals court confirmed Friday that Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case. Hakimi faced preliminary charges of rape in March 2023 after a 24-year-old woman said she was raped by him at his home in a Paris suburb. The Versailles-area appeals ruling clears the way for the case to proceed to trial.

Why it matters: Hakimi is one of the world's premier full-backs and a cornerstone of both PSG's squad and Morocco's national team, so a criminal trial carries significant implications for his availability, standing, and reputation. The confirmation removes the legal ambiguity that has hung over the case since the 2023 charges. How PSG and the Moroccan federation respond could shape his role heading into the 2026 season.

What to watch: Watch for a scheduled trial date and any statements from Hakimi's legal team, PSG, or the Moroccan football federation.