PSG Defender Achraf Hakimi Faces Preliminary Rape Charges in France

By Kamal Yalwa: August 1, 2025 Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco international defender Achraf Hakimi has been handed preliminary charges of rape by French authorities, following allegations made by a 23-year-old woman. The Nanterre prosecutor’s office confirmed on Friday that an investigation was opened after the woman approached police with her accusation. Although she declined to formally press charges, the seriousness of her account prompted prosecutors to launch an inquiry. Hakimi, 24, was questioned by investigators on Thursday before being indicted by an examining magistrate and placed under judicial supervision, a status that allows for continued investigation under French law. He is currently barred from contact with the alleged victim but is not restricted from leaving France, according to prosecutors. Under France’s legal system, preliminary charges indicate sufficient grounds to suspect a crime may have occurred, but further evidence is required before any trial can proceed. Hakimi has denied all allegations, and his lawyer, Fanny Colin, released a statement suggesting that the player is the victim of an attempted “racketeering” scheme. “The alleged victim refused to press charges, refused medical or psychological examination, and refused to confront Mr. Hakimi directly. The accusations are solely based on her account,” Colin said. “Being charged gives Mr. Hakimi the opportunity to access the full case file and defend himself fully,” she added. Paris Saint-Germain and the player have yet to issue official public statements, though sources told ESPN that Hakimi will be available for PSG’s Ligue 1 clash against Nantes on Saturday, despite recovering from a recent leg injury. The development comes just days before PSG’s crucial Champions League round-of-16 second leg against Bayern Munich and shortly after Hakimi was named in the 2022 FIFPRO World XI during the FIFA Best awards held in Paris. Hakimi joined PSG in 2021, playing a key role in the club’s Ligue 1 title win and Morocco’s historic run to the World Cup semifinals in Qatar.

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Chelsea Stuns PSG to Win FIFA Club World Cup

Cole Palmer rang up two goals and one assist in a sensational first half and Chelsea toppled Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 to win the FIFA Club World Cup on Sunday. Palmer scored in the 22nd and 30th minutes and Joao Pedro tacked on the third goal right before halftime, capitalizing on Palmer’s fine touch into the box. Robert Sanchez, meanwhile, saved six shots in his best showing of the tournament. Chelsea, who won the 2021 Club World Cup that featured only eight teams, battled past Portugal’s Benfica and Brazilian sides Palmeiras and Fluminense in the knockouts to face Paris Saint-Germain — six weeks removed from their first UEFA Champions League trophy. PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma made two saves on five shots on goal. The European champions had allowed just one goal in their first six matches of the Cup. The frustrated Parisians went down to 10 men in the 85th minute when Joao Neves pulled Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella by the hair, was caught on video review and shown red. Altercations spilled past the final whistle, and PSG coach Luis Enrique appeared to grab at Pedro’s neck while he and Donnarumma confronted Chelsea players. Cucurella made a crucial stop to keep the game scoreless in the 16th minute. Fabian Ruiz made a great pass across the box to Desire Doue, who could have shot it but instead tried a centering pass to a teammate that Cucurella intercepted. Six minutes later, Palmer — whose first attempt barely missed wide left in the eighth — got the scoring started. Malo Gusto picked up a wayward header from PSG’s Nuno Mendes and ran into the box. After a fancy dribble to create space, his shot was blocked right back to his feet, so he fed Palmer for a left-footer to the bottom left corner. Levi Colwill earned the assist on the second goal for his long ball downfield to Palmer. From there, Palmer calmly dribbled toward the center of the 18-yard line and fired the same low, left-footer for an identical goal. In the 43rd, Palmer tapped a pass between two defenders for Pedro, who popped his shot over a sprawling Donnarumma’s right shoulder. Sanchez dove to meet Neves’ stoppage-time header just before the goal line. His heroics continued in the second half, as he swatted away a shot by Ousmane Dembele from close range.

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PSG Chelsea Set for FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Final Showdown in New Jersey

European champions Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) will face Chelsea FC in the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, bringing the curtain down on a highly competitive global tournament. For PSG, the match presents an opportunity to cap off a historic season in which they clinched their first UEFA Champions League title and a domestic double. The French side are now eyeing their first Club World Cup trophy to complete the treble. Chelsea, on the other hand, will be looking to seal a remarkable campaign under new head coach Enzo Maresca, having already secured a top-four finish in the Premier League and lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League. Road to the Final PSG cruised through the tournament with dominant wins: Chelsea also enjoyed a strong run: Team News PSG will be without Willian Pacho and Lucas Hernandez, both suspended.Ousmane Dembele, who returned from injury to score in the semifinal, is expected to start. Predicted PSG lineup:Donnarumma; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Beraldo, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fabian Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia. Chelsea will welcome back Levi Colwill and Liam Delap from suspension.Reece James is pushing for a return to the starting XI, while Moises Caicedo is doubtful due to an ankle injury sustained in the semifinal. Predicted Chelsea lineup:Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez, Nkunku; Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro. Manager Reactions Luis Enrique (PSG coach): “We are in a special season, a special moment, and we have one more step against a very good team like Chelsea. We want to make history for our club.” Enzo Maresca (Chelsea coach): “It’s been a fantastic season — top four in the Premier League, Conference League champions, and now the Club World Cup final. We’re very happy and fully focused on winning this last game.” Head-to-Head This will be the ninth meeting between PSG and Chelsea: Their last encounter was in 2016, when PSG won 2–1 at Stamford Bridge, securing a 4–2 aggregate win in the Champions League Round of 16. Kickoff Time The final will kick off at 8:00 PM local time (1:00 AM West Africa Time). The winner will not only walk away with the prestigious title but also significant prize money and global bragging rights in what FIFA has called the biggest Club World Cup in history.

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Mbappe, Dembele Heat Up Real Madrid vs PSG Clash in Club World Cup Semifinal

Football fans are set for a seismic showdown as Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain lock horns in the semifinal of the FIFA Club World Cup, with more than just bragging rights on the line. Taking place at the massive MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the clash pits two of Europe’s most dominant clubs — and the last two UEFA Champions League winners — against each other in a battle for a spot in Sunday’s final. For Real Madrid, the stakes are historic: a chance to claim a record sixth Club World Cup title. But for PSG, it’s an opportunity to achieve a rare five-title season, adding the CWC crown to their domestic and continental success. Adding an explosive subplot to the tie is Kylian Mbappe’s dramatic reunion with his former club. Now donning the iconic white of Madrid, the French superstar will face PSG for the first time since making his long-anticipated move to Spain in 2024. Team news, starting lineups, and more details are expected to be confirmed in the hours leading up to kick-off. With two of the world’s richest clubs, a galaxy of stars, and Mbappe’s emotional return, this semifinal promises fireworks — on and off the pitch.

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Champions League: PSG Survives Thriller at The Villa

Paris Saint-Germain beat Aston Villa 5-4 on aggregate to move into the semi-final of the Champions League where they will play Arsenal or holders Real Madrid. PSG went into the game at Villa Park leading 3-1 from the first leg at the Parc des Princes in Paris. Morocco international Achraf Hakimi increased the aggregate score to 4-1 when he swept home after 11 minutes. Fellow defender Nuno Mendes got his second goal of the tie mid way through the half to put the visitors 5-1 up and looking set to saunter into the semis. But just before half-time, William Pacho deflected Youri Tielemans’ shot into his own net past goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma to offer Villa a shred of respectability. That transformed into a glimmer of hope 10 minutes after the pause. Villa skipper John McGinn picked up the ball just inside the PSG half and barrelled forward. Unchallenged, he let fly from 30 metres and his shot rose and dipped over a befuddled Donnarumma into the net. Donnarumma pushed away a vicious goal-bound drive from Marcus Rashford for a corner a couple of minutes later but from the ensuing kick, Villa worked the ball back to Rashford who foxed two defenders on the right wing, drove into the penalty area and cut back for Ezri Konsa to steer the ball past Donnarumma for 3-2 on the night and inflame Villa’s dreams. Villa pushed but PSG held off the charge to slink into the semis – 5-4 on aggregate. “Very proud of the boys,” Konsa told broadcaster Amazon Prime. “The two goals at the start killed us but we showed great heart to get back into the game. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough.” PSG will take on the winners of the tie between holders Real Madrid and Arsenal who go into the game at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night leading 3-0 from the first leg at the Emirates Stadium. “It’s going to be such a difficult semi-final whether it’s Arsenal or Real Madrid,” PSG skipper Marqinhos told Amazon Prime. “But there’s belief we can go all the way. We knew it was going to be difficult against Villa. The tie is never won in the first leg. They scored the goals in the second-half and it wasn’t easy at times but we did what we needed to do and we are through to the next round.” In Tuesday night’s other quarter-final, Guinea international Sehrou Guirassy hit a hat trick as Borussia Dortmund beat Barcelona 3-1 at the Signal Iduna Park. However, the Spaniards advance 5-3 on aggregate to a semi-final clash with Inter Milan or Bayern Munich who play on Wednesday night. Inter won the first leg in Munich 2-1.

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Man Utd, PSG make offers for Osimhen

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have both indicated a willingness to trigger the release clause in Victor Osimhen’s contract with Napoli and are now in talks with the Nigeria international, a report has claimed. Osimhen was heavily linked with Chelsea last summer but, after seeing talks collapse late on, ultimately joined Turkish side Galatasaray on loan for the season. There is no option for a permanent transfer in the agreement. While Galatasaray are keen to retain Osimhen, they are facing an uphill battle and Yagiz Sabuncuoglu has revealed both United and PSG have firmly ramped up their interest in the 26-year-old. “Victor Osimhen is about to sign a deal with a world-famous management company,” he told Sports Digitale. “In fact, a Real Madrid player is mediating these talks. What does this mean? The possibility of signing with Galatasaray in June has decreased a lot. “PSG and Manchester United made verbal offers to the player regarding salary and contract period. Because both clubs agreed to give Napoli the release clause. It is very difficult for Galatasaray to compete with these two clubs. He is most likely leaving at the end of the season.” The exact value of Osimhen’s release clause is not known but reports suggest it has dropped to around the £65m mark – an incredibly affordable fee for Europe’s elite sides, although United head coach Ruben Amorim has already voiced concerns about the Red Devils’ transfer budget in summer. Osimhen has retained his lethal streak in front of goal since moving to Turkey. He has racked up 17 goals and five assists in 23 appearances across all competitions, matching his goal tally from last season during his time with Napoli.

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