Raul Asencio Acquitted of Explicit Video Charges

Raul Asencio has been cleared by a Spanish court of alleged involvement in the distribution of a sexually explicit video featuring a minor, drawing a legal line under a case that has shadowed the Real Madrid defender for more than a year.

The 23-year-old was acquitted in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, with charges against him withdrawn. The case centred on the recording and dissemination of an explicit video linked to an intimate encounter at a beach club in Gran Canaria in June 2023.

Three of his former team-mates from the Real Madrid academy were not spared. They were convicted of “child pornography” offences and handed one-year suspended prison sentences. The court ordered them to complete a sexual “re-education” course, imposed a two-year restraining order preventing any contact with the victims, and banned them for three years from working in any profession involving minors.

The victims, two women aged 16 and 18 at the time, chose to forgive the accused. That decision led the court to impose minimum sentences on the three convicted players.

Asencio: “I have been acquitted”

After months of silence, Asencio responded with a measured but pointed statement once the ruling was delivered.

“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 described the toll of seeing his name publicly debated while the case was ongoing.

“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.

“I understand and respect the work of the media and the right to report and express opinions, but I also believe it's important to remember that behind every piece of news there is a person and a family who live with the consequences of it.”

The defender stressed his belief that the court’s decision speaks for itself.

“I have always trusted that justice would eventually set things right. Today there is a judicial ruling that speaks for itself, and I accept it with peace of mind and with the satisfaction of being able to close a very important chapter in my life.”

Drink-driving stain lingers

Even as one legal battle ends, another issue continues to hang over Asencio’s career.

Real Madrid have opened disciplinary proceedings against the defender after a drink-driving conviction, also in Gran Canaria. On 16 August, he was found to be more than three times over the legal alcohol limit. The incident resulted in a fine and an eight-month suspension of his driving licence.

Inside the club, the case has clearly registered. Asked about the matter, head coach Jose Mourinho did not hide his displeasure.

“Raul Asencio, given the situation he found himself in, I talked to him when he arrived and I talked to him about things that happened in the past,” Mourinho said. “I haven't talked with him since but I don't discuss situations outside Valdebebas.

“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.

“But obviously 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.

“So I am not happy. We all make errors but no, I'm not happy.”

Defender accepts blame and looks ahead

Asencio did not shy away from responsibility for the drink-driving offence, addressing it directly in the same statement in which he welcomed his acquittal.

“I am deeply sorry for what happened and I fully accept my responsibility,” he said. “It has been an experience from which I have learned and I am very clear that it will not happen again.

“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. And I [am] absolutely in agreement with my coach: not only on the pitch, but also off it.”

The court has cleared his name in one case. His club has made its stance clear in another. What comes next for Raul Asencio now depends less on lawyers and judges, and far more on how he lives the “24 hours” Mourinho demands of every Real Madrid player.