Kylian Mbappe has made headlines after publicly defending his close friend and former Paris Saint-Germain teammate Achraf Hakimi, who is currently facing serious rape allegations. Speaking to L’Équipe, the French football star stated unequivocally that Hakimi has always shown respect for women and never displayed inappropriate behavior, even in moments of intoxication.
“Hakimi always respects women. Even when drunk, I’ve never seen him act out of line,” Mbappe affirmed. “We are not savages. We’ve been trained to deal with situations like this from the beginning of our careers.”
Mbappe’s remarks come as Hakimi faces legal scrutiny following allegations from a 24-year-old woman, who accused the Moroccan right-back of sexually assaulting her at his Paris residence in early 2023. According to Le Monde, the charges could lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years if Hakimi is convicted.
The woman reportedly met Hakimi through social media and later visited his home in Boulogne-Billancourt, allegedly in a state of impaired awareness. Prosecutors have spent nearly a year investigating the claims, collecting evidence and testimonies, and now believe there are sufficient grounds for a criminal trial.
The scandal has rocked French football and cast a shadow over Hakimi’s career. Despite the gravity of the charges, Mbappe remains firm in his support. “The night after the incident, we went to a restaurant. Hakimi was devastated—he cried,” Mbappe recalled.
“He told me they had exchanged intimate gestures, but everything was consensual. He said they didn’t end up sleeping together, though he didn’t specify why. This is something we talked about often,” Mbappe added.
Mbappe emphasized that Hakimi has never had ill intentions and that his behavior has always been respectful. Mbappe’s outspoken support is rare in the world of professional football, where players tend to stay silent on such legal matters involving colleagues. His decision to back Hakimi publicly may spark controversy and even impact his own reputation.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the case continues to stir intense debate not just about Hakimi’s fate, but also about the risks athletes face and the public responsibilities of high-profile figures like Mbappe who choose to speak out.
Sources: Znews
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