Achraf Hakimi booed by Scotland fans as Morocco debate timing of rape trial confirmation | OneFootball

Achraf Hakimi endured a fraught World Cup night in Boston as Morocco beat Scotland 1-0, hours after confirmation of a forthcoming rape trial. According to L'Équipe, the news landed on Friday morning and split the stadium between jeers and support.

Boos greeted his first steps on the pitch, then almost every touch, as thousands of Scotland fans made their feelings clear. The Tartan Army had clocked the development, and similar abuse could follow elsewhere.

Hakimi looked below his best, rarely decisive and sometimes a touch off in challenges. It is hard to tie a display to an off-field case, yet it is difficult to be numb to events of that scale.

Morocco head coach Mohamed Ouahbi addressed the matter calmly, saying Hakimi played well, was serene and had motivated the group that morning. He added the captain matters to him, to the team and to 42 million Moroccans.

Back home, the topic dominated conversations and social media, many defending their star and bristling at the timing during a World Cup. One journalist questioned why it arrived on a matchday and said the country’s emblematic player felt targeted.

Another media figure said many in Morocco see a conspiracy and an attack, citing the Dani Alves case. Around the ground, thousands in Hakimi shirts voiced support and a #AchrafHakimi hashtag spread. The player said in a post that he would be glad to give his version of events, and the issue has become a World Cup talking point in the United States.

Source: L'Équipe