Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi booed by Scotland fans on day he is ordered to stand trial on rape charges

In the 20th minute of their 1-0 win over Scotland at Gillette Stadium on Friday, Morocco won a corner. Achraf Hakimi jogged over to take it and, close to the supporters, was met with a chorus of boos.

The stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts, had been largely taken over by the Tartan Army and, from the first minute, many of the Scottish supporters booed Hakimi’s every touch. In the first few minutes, the jeers were murmurs that faded into the overall atmosphere in the stands. As Hakimi started to receive more and more of the ball, however, the boos echoed.

But when he went to to take the first of two corners, the booing escalated in intensity and volume. It was clearly audible on Fox’s U.S. broadcast of the game, too.

In the 39th minute, Hakimi bundled over Kieran Tierney to deny Scotland a counter-attacking opportunity, which heightened the volume of the booing.

The 27-year-old is the captain of Morocco and a key player in this team, so a lot of play runs through him, and each time he touched the ball many among the Scotland support let out their boos. Towards the end of the first half, the decibel level reached its peak with a large number of Scotland fans joining in the heckling.

In the second half, the booing hit another crescendo when he and John McGinn went head-to-head after a collision.

The boos for Hakimi followed on from the news on Friday that he had been ordered to stand trial on rape charges after the Versailles appeal court ruled there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed.

A 24-year-old woman accused Hakimi of raping her in February 2023 and he was charged in March 2023. The player has always denied wrongdoing.

Morocco’s coach Mohamed Ouahbi was asked after the game about the reaction Hakimi had received from the crowd and what was being done to manage the situation.

“Did you see the game? I suppose you did,” said Ouahbi.

“Hakimi was extraordinary, so we’re very relaxed, he’s very relaxed and I believe he played really well. He was good, I don’t know why we need to talk about management or other such things.

“He did a good job, why talk about management? He woke up in the morning, ate like everybody, he was focused, he played with everybody, he wanted to play strongly and that’s what he did.

“We don’t have to say anything — we’re behind him, he’s very relaxed and hopefully he’s going to show he’s the best wing-back in the world. I believe this is important for me, the players and the 44million Moroccans who are following us.”

Hakimi did not speak publicly after the game but he made his own statement on X before kick-off.

It read: “Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: ‘If you weren’t famous, there never would have been a case’.

“I chose to remain silent for years. I thought that staying dignified, being patient, and trusting the justice system would allow the right decisions to be made.

“Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth. Sometimes I feel like I’ve become an easy target.

“I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak.”

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, welcomed the ruling by six judges and said it gave her client “relief and hope”.

“After more than three years of legal battles, after being slandered and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi’s defence, this decision brings my client relief and hope,” Pardo said.

“Relief at having been heard by the justice system and at having the right to a trial.

“The hope is that this trial will help other women, and further crack the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, even in the world of men’s football.”

No date has been set for a trial.

At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco’s unexpected run to the semi-finals won them admirers across the globe.

This week, Scotland manager Steve Clarke called them “the real deal” and many believe that, as arguably the best African national team of all time, they could be genuine contenders in North America.

The atmosphere around them in Foxboro on Friday night, though, felt very different to that of four years ago.