Burgin sets personal best at Diamond League Rabat
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Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Daily Mail
PSG defender Achraf Hakimi could face '15 years in prison' as prosecutors 'seek trial for alleged rape after years-long investigation'
Achraf Hakimi could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted over an allegation of rape, after prosecutors in France formally requested that the Paris Saint-Germain and Morocco international be sent for trial before a criminal court. The request, signed on August 1 by the Nanterre prosecutor's office, marks the latest development in a judicial investigation that has spanned more than two years. A final decision on whether the case goes to trial now rests with the investigating judge, who can either approve or dismiss the recommendation. The case stems from an alleged incident on the night of February 25, 2023, at Hakimi's home in Boulogne-Billancourt, a suburb west of Paris. A 24-year-old woman claims she was raped after being invited to the player's residence. She told police that the two had begun exchanging messages on Instagram in January and that Hakimi arranged for a car to bring her to his home. Once there, she alleges he began kissing and touching her without consent and, despite her protests, forced her to engage in sexual acts. She says she eventually managed to push him away and left, later messaging a friend for help. The woman reported the alleged rape to police the following day, although she did not initially file a formal complaint. Messages she sent to friends about the incident were later provided to investigators. On March 3, 2023, Hakimi was placed under formal investigation — the French equivalent of being charged. The allegation against Hakimi, which he denies, was made in 2023. He has continued playing for PSG since then and was part of the team that won the UEFA Champions League in May According to Le Parisien, the final indictment request signals that prosecutors believe there is enough evidence for the case to go to trial, though it does not constitute a finding of guilt. Hakimi has denied any wrongdoing throughout the investigation and maintains the encounter was consensual. He has continued to play for PSG and the Moroccan national team in the meantime. His lawyer, Fanny Colin, described the prosecution's request as 'incomprehensible and senseless in light of the evidence in the case.' She said the proceedings had already highlighted contradictions in the accuser's testimony, particularly in psychological assessments. 'Achraf Hakimi and I remain as calm as when the proceedings began,' she said. 'If these requests were to be followed, we would obviously pursue all avenues of appeal.' The alleged victim's lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, told Le Parisien her client had received this week's development with 'immense relief', viewing it as a sign the justice system is taking her claims seriously. PSG have not commented extensively on the case but have stood by the player, citing 'personal reasons' when he missed training sessions during sensitive phases of the investigation. The club has said it continues to trust the legal process. The investigating judge is expected to decide in the coming weeks whether Hakimi will stand trial.
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Zharnel Hughes challenges Matthew Hudson-Smith to a Battle of Britain over 300m in effort to bring more 'excitement' to athletics
Zharnel Hughes has challenged his team-mate Matthew Hudson-Smith to a Battle of Britain over 300 metres as he bids to get more eyeballs on athletics. The 30-year-old is the national record holder over 200m, while Hudson-Smith holds that accolade in the 400m. Now Hughes hopes they can meet in the middle in a blockbuster race at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium. 'Matt and I in the 300m is a perfect clash,' said Hughes, who also owns the British 100m record. 'You're going to be playing cat and mouse. Can I get out and hold on? Or will Matt catch me in the last 30 to 40m because of his strengths? 'I think it would be pretty cool. I think it'll bring excitement. People will definitely tune in as long as the hype is good enough. 'I really want to make it happen. He wants to race. I want to race as well. We just haven't had anyone that can help make it happen. That's the only thing that's holding us back. 'I would actually like it to be in Birmingham. That's where he is from. Let's compete in Birmingham – just so he can shut up.' Hughes will be in Birmingham this weekend at the UK Athletics Championships, but Hudson-Smith is missing because he is preparing for the arrival of his baby. Hughes also became a father for the first time last November and admits his son has given him extra motivation to bring a medal home from next month's World Championships. 'He's back in Jamaica and I am missing him,' he admitted. 'It's more personal now because I'm away from him for quite some time. 'I would love to bring him some hardware home, in the form of a medal. That would be a great accomplishment, a great achievement. 'He wouldn't know what it is, but when he grows up, he can understand that when Daddy was away for a couple of months in the early part of his upbringing, this was one of the reasons why.' The UK Championships double up as trials for the World Championships, but Hughes and Hudson-Smith already have UKA wildcards for Tokyo as recent global medallists. Hughes won a 100m bronze at the World Championships in 2023, but failed to reach the 100m final at last summer's Paris Olympics and pulled out of the 200m with injury following a disrupted season. 'Last year was disappointing,' added Hughes, who clocked a season's best 9.91sec at last month's London Diamond League event. 'No athlete wants to be injured going into the Olympics. It definitely motivated me going into this season. 'I'm now 9.91 for the season, so it's good to be back there. London showed me that I improved on certain bits, but there's still some bits that can be fixed. 'I'm looking forward to the next weeks to see how much faster we can go.' Vita Coco ambassador Zharnel Hughes hydrates with coconut water. Want to train with him in Jamaica? Enter the summer giveaway now at
Reuters
19 hours ago
- Reuters
New Zealand beat Zimbabwe by nine wickets to win first test
BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, Aug 1 (Reuters) - New Zealand won the first test against Zimbabwe inside three days, securing victory at the Queens Sports Club by nine wickets after skittling out the hosts on Friday. Stand-in skipper Mitchell Santner took four wickets as Zimbabwe were dismissed for 165 runs in their second innings after being 31-2 overnight, leaving New Zealand needing only eight runs in their second innings to win the test. They achieved the target in 14 balls but not before opener Devon Conway was bowled in the first over by Newman Nyamburi for four. Henry Nicholls hit the winning run in the third over after tea on the third day to see the tourists go 1-0 up in the two-test series. Zimbabwe started the day with hopes of wiping out a 158-run first innings deficit and setting a tough target for New Zealand to chase but they were always up against it, even if the tourists were two bowlers short. All-rounder Nathan Smith suffered an abdominal strain on the second day and then Will O'Rourke did not bowl after lunch on Friday because of stiffness in his back. Zimbabwe added only three runs to their overnight score before Nick Welch was caught behind off O'Rourke and by lunch Zimbabwe were tottering on 114-6, still 44 runs adrift. They had by then lost leading scorer Sean Williams, who tickled the ball down leg to be caught behind for 49, and captain Craig Ervine, who got a feint edge to Matt Henry and was out for 22. Henry, who took 6-39 in the first innings, persisted as the lone pace man after lunch and dismissed Zimbabwe's last recognised batsman Sikandar Raza cheaply to ensure a nine-wicket match haul. Santner, captaining the Kiwis for the first time in the absence of the injured Tom Latham, mopped up the tail as he took the last three wickets for figures of 4-27 off 17.1 overs. Henry took 3-51 in the second innings and O'Rourke 3-28 off 10 overs before his injury. Zimbabwe won the toss on the first day on Wednesday and, after electing to bat, scored 149 with New Zealand getting 307-9 in reply in their first innings. The second test will also be played in Bulawayo, starting next Thursday.
