Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has been cleared by a Spanish court of allegations that he was involved in distributing a sexually explicit video involving a minor, bringing an end to a legal case that had cast a shadow over the 23-year-old's season.
The charges against Asencio were dropped by a court in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, following the conclusion of proceedings tied to an incident that occurred at a beach club on the island in June 2023. The case centred on the recording and distribution of a sexually explicit video connected to an intimate encounter involving two women, aged 16 and 18 at the time.
Three of Asencio's former team-mates from Real Madrid's academy were convicted in connection with the case and received one-year suspended prison sentences for offences related to child pornography. As part of their sentencing, the trio must complete a sexual re-education programme, comply with a two-year restraining order preventing contact with the victims, and accept a three-year ban from working in any profession involving minors. The court opted for minimum sentences after the two victims stated they had forgiven the defendants.
Asencio, who had remained largely silent throughout the process, released a statement following the ruling in which he expressed relief at the outcome. "Today, after a long period of silence and after respecting a judicial process in which I always had faith, I can say that I have been acquitted," he said. He acknowledged the difficulty of the ordeal, noting that public scrutiny had at times preceded any legal resolution. "Over these past months I have been through a difficult situation and, at times, I have had to see how information and opinions about me were published before justice had its say," Asencio said, while adding that he respected the media's role in reporting the case. He said he was now able to "close a very important chapter" in his life with a clear conscience.
Separately, the centre-back is facing internal disciplinary action from Real Madrid after being convicted of drink-driving, an offence that also took place in Gran Canaria. The incident occurred on 16 August, when Asencio was found to be driving with more than three times the legal alcohol limit. He was fined and had his driving licence suspended for eight months as a result.
Addressing the drink-driving case in his statement, Asencio took full responsibility for his actions. "I am deeply sorry for what happened and I fully accept my responsibility," he said, adding that the episode had taught him a lesson he did not intend to repeat. "I don't want to get involved in controversies or look back. I want to close this chapter with respect, with my head held high and with a great desire to move forward," he added, aligning himself with his coach's expectations both on and off the pitch.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho addressed the drink-driving matter when asked by reporters, making clear his displeasure despite praising Asencio's professionalism at the club's Valdebebas training ground. "His attitude is perfect here. He picked up an injury a few weeks ago and since then, he is first to arrive and last to leave working on his recovery," Mourinho said. However, the manager stressed that a player's conduct away from football still reflects on the institution. "A Real Madrid player is a Real Madrid player for 24 hours, seven days a week, 12 months a year, so when you do something outside your professional area, it's still Real Madrid and it hurts the club's prestige that is untouchable," Mourinho said. "So I am not happy. We all make errors but no, I'm not happy."
While the legal case involving the explicit video has now concluded in Asencio's favour, the club's internal disciplinary process over the drink-driving conviction remains ongoing.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.