PARIS, June 19 (Reuters) - ⁠Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, who is due ⁠to join the Morocco squad against Scotland later ‌on Friday, said he faced trial on a rape charge and welcomed the opportunity to put across his point of view.

Hakimi, who ​played for Morocco during its World ⁠Cup opener against Brazil ⁠on Sunday, had appealed his referral to criminal court. ⁠French ‌media reported earlier that the Versailles appeals court had rejected the appeal, paving the way ⁠for his trial in a criminal court ​at some point ‌in the future.

"Today, a story that isn't 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," the star ​defender wrote in a post on social media platform X.

"I've been waiting for this trial since day one. And ⁠now I'm looking forward to it. Finally, I'll be able to speak out."

It was not immediately clear when the trial would be due to start. The Versailles ​appeals court and Hakimi's lawyer ⁠did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The Nanterre prosecutor's ​office opened an investigation in ‌2023 after an allegation of ​rape was made against him.

(Reporting by Makini Brice and Benoit van Overstraeten; editing by Philippa Fletcher)