A French appeals court confirmed Friday that Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco star player Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case.The defender, who is currently playing with Morocco at the World Cup after winning the Champions League for a second straight year with PSG, had appealed a February decision by an investigative judge. That ruling followed recommendations from public prosecutors that Hakimi should face trial.The decision was released just hours before Morocco takes on Scotland in their Group C match. Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil in its opening game.Hakimi, one of the best right backs in the world, denies any wrongdoing. He faced preliminary charges of rape in March 2023 after a 24-year-old woman said she was raped by Hakimi at his home in a Paris suburb.The Versailles appeals court said in a press statement that it ordered that Hakimi be formally charged with rape. The court said that the investigations conducted during the inquiry and the judicial investigation led the investigating chamber to conclude that there is sufficient evidence against the player to stand trial.Rachel-Flore Pardo, the lawyer representing the plaintiff, said that after more than three years of legal proceedings, and after being defamed and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimis defense, the court's decision brings my client a sense of relief and hope."Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have her case heard at trial, Pardo said in a statement to The Associate Press. "Hope that this trial will help other women and further weaken the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including within the world of mens football.Hakimi claimed in a message posted on X on Friday that his case would have been dismissed if he had not been famous, and that he sometimes feels he has become an easy target. Justice looked me in the eye and told me: If you were not famous, there would never have been a case," Hakimi wrote. I chose to remain silent for years. I believed that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.He added that the case has been detrimental not only to him, but also to his family, and above all, to the truth. I have been waiting for this trial since the first day. And I am now waiting for it impatiently, he added. Finally, I will be able to speak.A date for the trial has yet to be announced.The multitude of exculpatory elements uncovered during the investigation and judicial inquiry would, in any other case, have led to the dismissal of the proceedings," Hakimis lawyer, Fanny Colin, told the AP. Achraf Hakimis defense regrets that no consequences were drawn from the contradictions and false statements made by the complainant, her concealment of information from the judicial authorities, her obstruction of the search for the truth, and the psychological assessments noting both her ambivalence and her lack of clarity regarding the events she reported.___AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup

Ismael Kone put on a brave face from his hospital bed after suffering a sickening leg break that brought his World Cup campaign to a cruel end.The Canada midfielder was stretchered off during his side's emphatic 6-0 victory over Qatar on Thursday night after a reckless challenge from Assim Madibo left players and supporters fearing the worst.Kone, 24, has since undergone surgery and was pictured smiling alongside team-mate Moise Bombito, who visited him in hospital and shared a selfie from his bedside.Despite facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, the Sassuolo midfielder appeared determined to remain positive as Canada moved to the brink of reaching the knockout stages.TRENDINGStoriesVideosYour SayThe horrific incident occurred in the 53rd minute of the Group B encounter when Madibo lunged into a challenge and caught Kone on the leg.Witnesses inside the stadium reported hearing an audible snap, while players from both sides immediately signalled for medical assistance as the severity of the injury became apparent.Kone was given oxygen treatment on the pitch before being carried away by medics, but still managed to wave to supporters as he left the field.Canada manager Jesse Marsch later confirmed the midfielder would require surgery and vowed he would receive the best possible treatment.The injury overshadowed what was otherwise a memorable evening for the tournament co-hosts.Nathan Saliba replaced Kone and marked his introduction by curling home a superb free-kick before holding up his team-mate's shirt in an emotional tribute.Madibo was shown a straight red card for the challenge, while Qatar finished the match with nine men after Homam Ahmed had earlier been dismissed for denying a goalscoring opportunity.LATEST SPORTS NEWS:World Cup star suffers injury so horrific that ITV refuse to show replaysTV presenter quits and apologises after falsely claiming Lionel Messi's father had diedEngland national anthem row takes fresh twist with Thomas Tuchel 'unlikely' to be appeased by rule changeMarsch also revealed that Madibo visited the Canada dressing room after the match to apologise personally to Kone.Hat-trick hero Jonathan David was less forgiving when discussing the tackle."If there's a play where you cannot win the ball, there's no point," he said."It's just to hurt people."Kone enjoyed an impressive campaign with Sassuolo last season, scoring six goals in 35 Serie A appearances.The midfielder began his career with CF Montreal before moving to Watford in 2022.After establishing himself in England, he secured a 15million switch to Marseille, though opportunities became limited under Roberto De Zerbi.A loan move to Sassuolo followed before the Italian side completed a permanent transfer in January.Kone has won 42 caps for Canada and scored four international goals, but his focus will now turn towards recovery after seeing his dream of starring at a home World Cup cut short.Canada's dominant victory over Qatar has left Marsch's side on the verge of securing a place in the knockout rounds, while Qatar must defeat Bosnia and Herzegovina to keep their own hopes alive.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter

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