Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has been cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with the sharing of an explicit video featuring a minor.
The 23-year-old was exonerated by a court in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, as all allegations against him were dropped. The legal action revolved around the filming and distribution of a private video from an encounter at a seaside venue in Gran Canaria in June 2023.
Three individuals who previously played alongside Asencio in Real Madrid’s youth setup were found guilty in relation to the same matter. Their sentences were reduced after the affected parties, a 16-year-old girl and an 18-year-old woman, chose to pardon them.
Court ruling clears Asencio of all charges
Each of the three convicted men received a one-year suspended prison term for offenses involving child pornography, along with a mandatory course on sexual conduct. They were also issued two-year restraining orders barring contact with the victims and a three-year prohibition from roles involving minors.
Asencio stated that the verdict marked the conclusion of a challenging chapter during which he opted to stay quiet out of respect for the legal process. He also voiced frustration that details and opinions regarding the case surfaced publicly before the judicial proceedings had officially ended.
The Real Madrid player acknowledged the media’s role and its right to cover matters of public interest, but he highlighted that such reporting also impacts the individuals and families caught up in these situations.
Asencio added that his faith in the justice system never wavered, and he expressed relief that the decision allowed him to close what he called a significant part of his life.
Defender speaks out after legal victory
In his public remarks, Asencio said he was finally able to look ahead following the court’s decision. He described the past months as tough and noted that the ruling itself was enough to speak on his behalf.
The defender’s comments came after the lengthy legal battle tied to the video. While his three former youth teammates faced convictions, Asencio was fully absolved, and the case against him was dismissed.
He said he welcomed the outcome with a sense of calm and expressed gratitude that he could now leave the issue behind him.
Separate drink-driving issue still looms for Asencio
In addition, Asencio is dealing with internal measures from Real Madrid regarding a separate drink-driving conviction in Gran Canaria.
The incident occurred on 16 August, when he was caught driving at more than three times the permitted alcohol level. He received a fine and an eight-month suspension of his driving license.
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho said he addressed the matter with Asencio upon the player’s return, but he avoided discussing anything beyond the club’s Valdebebas training facility.
Mourinho praised the defender’s dedication in training, pointing out that Asencio had been putting in extra effort to recover from an injury and was regularly among the first to show up and the last to leave.
Club discipline and Asencio’s reaction
Still, Mourinho made it clear he was dissatisfied with the drink-driving episode. He emphasized that wearing the Real Madrid shirt comes with obligations that extend beyond the field, and that off-field behavior can tarnish the club’s reputation.
The manager admitted that mistakes happen to anyone, but he said Asencio’s actions had let him down.
Asencio, for his part, owned up to the drink-driving offense and apologized sincerely for his behavior. He called the ordeal a lesson learned and promised it would not be repeated.
The defender said he had no interest in stirring up more controversy or revisiting the past. Instead, his focus is on progressing both in his career and personal life, while agreeing with Mourinho that representing Real Madrid comes with responsibilities that follow him off the pitch as well.