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Achraf Hakimi and his PSG team mates | Source: Google[/caption]
Achraf Hakimi's lawyer has denied a rape allegation against the Paris Saint-Germain star, calling the claims "false".
The 24-year-old Moroccan international was accused of rape by a 24-year-old woman at his residence in a suburb of Paris on February 25.
French authorities have opened a preliminary investigation into the claim.
Hakimi's lawyer, Fanny Colin, said in a statement: "The allegations against Achraf Hakimi are false. He is completely innocent and will vigorously defend himself against these claims."
"He is cooperating fully with the police investigation and is confident that the truth will come out," lawyer Fanny concludes.
The Ligue 1 club have also issued a statement in support of Hakimi, saying: "The club reiterates its full confidence in Achraf Hakimi and will support him in all ways possible."
Hakimi is a former Real Madrid player who joined PSG from Inter Milan in the summer of 2021. He has been capped 52 times by Morocco and is considered to be one of the best right-backs in the world.
He has won the Champions League, La Liga and Ligue 1 during his career, and is also a two-time winner of the Moroccan Footballer of the Year award.
The rape allegation is the latest in a series of high-profile cases involving footballers in recent years.
In 2021, Mason Greenwood was arrested on suspicion of rape, sexual assault and threats to kill, but was later released on bail.
In 2020, Cristiano Ronaldo was charged with rape by Kathryn Mayorga, but the charges were later dropped.
These cases have raised questions about the way that football clubs and governing bodies deal with allegations of sexual assault.
Some have called for a more robust system of support for victims, and for clubs to be more transparent about how they investigate such cases.
Achraf Hakimi's case is still at a preliminary stage, and it is too early to say what the outcome will be.
However, the allegations have already had a significant impact on his career, and it remains to be seen how he will be able to move on from them.
