Achraf Hakimi, who is undeniably one of the best players in Ligue 1, will not be able to compete for the Marc-Vivien Foe trophy due to his trial over alleged sexual assault.

A cornerstone of PSG and even vice-captain of the French capital club, Hakimi, 27, won last season's Marc-Vivien Foe award, which recognizes the best African player in Ligue 1. That will not be the case this year, as the Moroccan is not among the eligible candidates.

Eleven players are competing for the award, from Moussa Niakhate (Lyon) to Herve Koffi (Angers), including Ilan Kebbal (Paris FC), Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille) and Bamba Dieng (Lorient).

But the PSG defender would comfortably deserve a place on that list on sporting merit alone, given his level of performance, and he could even be the heavy favorite. But Hakimi is not among the candidates, and it is linked to off-field developments.

According to Le Parisien, the jury of the trophy -- awarded by France 24 and RFI -- chose not to include the Moroccan's candidacy due to his upcoming trial. Last February, the court decided, even in the absence of a formal complaint, that there were sufficient grounds for referral to the departmental criminal court of Hauts-de-Seine, with a trial date not yet set.

Among the recognized criteria for awarding the prize, "exemplary behavior both on and off the field" is required, thereby excluding Hakimi from consideration.

The PSG player knows that media attention will return to him when his trial takes place, and that in the meantime, the situation could work against him in certain aspects of his career, such as agreements with sponsors and partners.

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