It’s a shock in African football in France as Achraf Hakimi has been left out of the 2026 Marc-Vivien Foe Award final shortlist unveiled by RFI and France 24.
Despite being the defending champion and having had a flawless season with Paris Saint-Germain, the Moroccan fullback is paying the price for his legal troubles.
According to reports from L’Equipe, the organizers decided to exclude the defender due to his indictment on rape charges, a decision based on the award’s code of conduct.
Indeed, the rules of the Marc-Vivien Foe Award are unequivocal. Beyond athletic performance, nominees must demonstrate exemplary behavior both on and off the field.
With legal proceedings underway, the Moroccan star no longer met this ethical standard, which the jury considers fundamental.
The list of 11 nominees for the 2026 edition:
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon / Olympique de Marseille)
- Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)
- Bamba Dieng (Senegal / FC Lorient)
- Guéla Doué (Ivory Coast / RC Strasbourg)
- Martial Godo (Ivory Coast / RC Strasbourg)
- Ilan Kebbal (Algeria / Paris FC)
- Hervé Koffi (Burkina Faso / Angers SCO)
- Arsène Kouassi (Burkina Faso / FC Lorient)
- Aïssa Mandi (Algeria / LOSC Lille)
- Moussa Niakhaté (Senegal / Olympique Lyonnais)
- Mamadou Sangaré (Mali / RC Lens)
