Sports

‘Achraf Hakimi is victim of extortion attempt,’ Lawyer claims

Published

2 years ago

March 4, 2023

The lawyer to embattled Moroccan international defender, Achraf Hakimi who is being investigated on rape charges, says the player is a victim of extortion attempt.

The lawyer, Fanny Colin, said pending more details in the rape allegations, the case against her client may be a targeted attempt to extort him.

“In my opinion, it appears from the documents in the hands of the judicial police that Mr. Hakimi, in this case, is the subject of an extortion attempt,” Colin said while addressing a press conference on Friday.

She also questioned the accusers’ decision not to file a rape accusation against the football player.

“The complainant refused to file a complaint, to submit the slightest medical and psychological examination or to be confronted with the Moroccan player,” the lawyer said.

The Paris Saint Germain star was, last week, the subject of an investigation by the French police following a report by a 24-year-old woman that the player had sexually assaulted her at his home in Boulogne-Billancourt.

The French reported that the woman had alleged that rape took place after she met Hakimi at an event and followed him home where he forcefully kissed her and proceeded to rape her.

However, the woman has failed to file charges but the police say they will carry on with their investigations despite that.

Since the news broke, the Moroccan player has maintained his innocence while his club, PSG, said in a statement on Thursday that the club will stand with their player all the way.

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Sports

TP Mazembe pip AS FAR to win African Women’s Champions League

Published

19 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Isaac Dachen

TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) became the third team to win the 2024 African Women’s Champions League after narrowly defeating AS FAR of Morocco 1-0 in the final played on Sunday at the El Jadida’s Stade Ben Ahmed El Abdi Stadium.

TP Mazembe claimed the title for the first time courtesy of a 10th minute penalty which was converted by Marlene Kasaj after AS FAR captain Aziza Rabbah handled the ball in the box.

The Congolese side should have doubled their lead six minutes later when an unmarked Merveille Kanjinga fired wide from seven yards out before the more fancied home team gradually grew into the match and looked to cancel the deficit and add to their continental triumph in 2022.

But AS FAR put in a subdued display and failed to test Mazembe’s goalkeeper Fideline Ngoy, with tournament top scorer Doha El Madani who had netted six goals in their run to the final, wasting their best chance as she sliced a first-half free-kick wide.

With the triumph, TP Mazembe carted home the giant trophy and a cheque for $600,000 (£479,000) after the prize money was increased for the fourth edition of the tournament, while the AS FAR went home with $400,000 (£319,000).

Sports

Wafcon 2024 draw throws up interesting pairings

Published

2 days ago

November 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The draw for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) holding in Morocco from July 5 to 26 next year which was held on Friday, threw up some interesting match-ups to look forward to as hosts Morocco found themselves in what has been described as the group of death.

The Atlas Lionesses will have to contend with Zambia, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A, while Group B has record 11-time continental champions, the Super Falcons of Nigeria slugging it out with Tunisia, Algeria and Botswana, just as current defending champions, Banyana Banyana of South Africa will do battle with Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in Group C.

The top two sides in each group will progress to the quarter-finals, alongside the two best third-placed finishers.

Though qualification for the 2024 Wafcon was completed in December last year, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), was forced to push the finals into 2025 because of international football’s congested calendar, which included the participation of Nigeria and Zambia at the Olympics.

Morocco also staged the 2022 edition of Wafcon, ending as runners-up, and former international Fatiha Laassiri believes home support will provide “a real advantage” next year.

Wafcon 2024 group draw with world ranking in brackets:

Group A: Morocco (hosts, 59), Zambia (62), Senegal (83), DR Congo (102).

Group B: Nigeria (36), Tunisia (78), Algeria (84), Botswana (153).

Group C: South Africa (holders, 50), Ghana (66), Mali (81), Tanzania (145).