Raul Asencio Acquitted in Sex Video Case Amid Drink-Driving Issues

Raul Asencio has been cleared by a Spanish court of alleged involvement in the recording and distribution of a sexually explicit video involving a minor, drawing a line under one of two legal cases currently shadowing the Real Madrid defender.

The 23-year-old was acquitted in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, with charges against him withdrawn. The case centred on a video of an intimate encounter at a beach club in Gran Canaria in June 2023, which was later circulated.

Three of Asencio’s former team-mates from the Real Madrid academy were convicted. The court handed them one-year suspended prison sentences for “child pornography” and ordered them to attend a sexual “re-education” course. They also received a two-year restraining order barring contact with the victims – two women aged 16 and 18 at the time – and a three-year ban from working in any profession involving minors.

The court noted that the trio were given minimum sentences after the victims forgave them.

Asencio, who had maintained his innocence throughout, broke his silence once the ruling came down.

“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 in a statement. He spoke of “a difficult situation” and of watching information and opinions about him circulate “before justice had its say”.

He stressed that he respected the role of the media, but underlined the human cost: “Behind every piece of news there is a person and a family who live with the consequences of it.”

“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.”

Legal relief in one courtroom, though, does not end his off-field scrutiny.

Drink-driving case keeps spotlight on defender

Separate from the video case, Real Madrid have opened disciplinary proceedings against Asencio 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 led to a fine and an eight-month suspension of his driving licence.

The club moved internally, and the matter reached the ears of head coach Jose Mourinho, who did not hide his displeasure when asked.

“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.”

On the training ground, Mourinho was full of praise. “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.”

Then came the reminder of the standard Madrid demand.

“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.”

Asencio, in his statement, did not try to soften the drink-driving incident. He addressed it head on.

“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.”

He made it clear he wants to move on, not debate.

“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.”

Acquitted in one case, sanctioned in another, Asencio now faces the real test: whether his response off the field can match the standards his club and coach demand every single day.