Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi lost an appeal and will stand trial on rape charges in France.

An appeals court in Versailles concluded that there was sufficient evidence for Hakimi, 27, to stand trial, according to a statement provided to The Athletic on Friday.

Hakimi has denied any wrongdoing since being charged in March 2023. A 24-year-old woman alleged he assaulted her in February 2023, according to previous reports.

The Paris Saint-Germain fullback, who is part of Morocco’s squad at the World Cup, said he is looking forward to the opportunity to clear his name.

“Justice looked me in the eyes and said to me: ‘If you weren’t famous, there never would have been a case,'” Hakimi posted Friday on X, translated from French.

“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.”

Rachel-Flore Pardo, the plaintiff’s lawyer, praised the decision to move forward with a trial.

“The investigating chamber has ruled that there is sufficient evidence against Achraf Hakimi for committing rape,” Pardo wrote on X.

“This decision is perfectly consistent with the evidence in the case and in line with the opinions of the public prosecutor, the investigating judge, and the advocate general at the Court of Appeal.

“… 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 trial date has been set for Hakimi, who played the full 90 minutes in each of Morocco’s first two World Cup matches, including a 1-0 win over Scotland on Friday in Foxborough, Mass. Morocco (1-0-1, 4 points) conclude Group C action against Haiti on Wednesday in Atlanta.

–Field Level Media

Former NFL All-Pro Marshawn Lynch has become an accomplished photographer in his retirement. He can now add “credentialed World Cup photographer” to his resume, thanks to his appearance at the United States’ 2-0 victory over Australia on Friday.

Lynch, a former running back who racked up 6,381 yards and 58 touchdowns on the ground as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, was back in Seattle Stadium to shoot the United States’ second World Cup victory in as many games.

Lynch, 40, has been a credentialed photographer since at least last August, when he was spotted throwing a stiff arm to protect his camera during a preseason content between Seattle and the Las Vegas Raiders.

He was also seen rubbing elbows with several celebrities on hand, including NBA star Devin Booker.

Devin Booker ?? Marshawn Lynch

Two legends linked up at the USA’s match vs Australia ??

(??: @Suns) pic.twitter.com/yKrIMeIwp2

— PHNX Suns (@PHNX_Suns) June 19, 2026

The five-time Pro Bowler, who also played for the Buffalo Bills and Raiders during a 12-year career that resulted in over 10,000 career rushing yards, was also seen delivering a pregame speech to fans outside the stadium.

That type of versatility is par for the course for Lynch, who has worked as an actor, been a sports franchise owner (most notably with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken), and dabbled with cannabis and holoportation investments since his NFL career ended.

–Field Level Media

Kerry Carpenter had a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning and the host Detroit Tigers held on for a 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

Matt Vierling hit a two-run homer and Dillon Dingler supplied three hits and scored two runs for the Tigers.

Detroit ace Tarik Skubal allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. Skubal, who recorded eight strikeouts, was making his second start since undergoing a surgical procedure on his pitching elbow.

Drew Anderson (3-3) struck out three in 1 1/3 innings of relief to get the win. Kenley Jensen pitched the ninth for his eighth save.

Junior Perez had the first two hits of his career, including a solo homer, for the White Sox. Randal Grichuk also homered.

Erick Fedde (2-6) gave up two runs in 4 2/3 innings for Chicago, striking out four and walking one.

Grichuk, the second batter of the game, drove a 1-2 changeup over the left-field wall to give the White Sox a 1-0 lead. The Tigers answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

Dingler smacked a single before Vierling drove a Brandon Eisert fastball over the left-center-field wall. Eisert was used as an opener, allowing the two runs in 1 1/3 innings.

Kevin McGonigle led off the bottom of the third with a double, but Fedde retired the next three batters to leave him stranded.

Chicago pushed across a run in the fifth to tie the score.

Sam Antonacci and Luisangel Acuna led off with singles to put runners on the corners. Tristan Peters hit into a fielder’s choice as Antonacci scored. Miguel Vargas singled and Grichuk walked to load the bases. Peters was thrown out at home on Chase Meidroth’s groundout and Colson Montgomery struck out, leaving the score at 2-all.

Perez gave the White Sox the lead on his breakthrough homer with one out in the sixth. He drove a Skubal changeup over the left-center-field wall.

Detroit regained the lead at 4-3 in the bottom of the frame. Dingler led off with a single and Riley Greene drew a one-out walk. With two down, Carpenter blooped a double to center to bring in both runners

–Field Level Media