Raul Asencio Acquitted in Explicit Video Case Amid Drink-Driving Issues
Raul Asencio has been cleared by a Spanish court of any criminal involvement in the distribution of a sexually explicit video involving a minor, drawing a line under one of the most serious allegations of his young career – even as another off-field issue keeps him under Real Madrid scrutiny.
The 23-year-old defender was acquitted in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, with charges withdrawn against him in a case tied to the recording and dissemination of a video from an intimate encounter at a beach club on the island in June 2023.
Three of his former Real Madrid academy team-mates did not walk away so cleanly.
Former team-mates convicted
The court handed minimum sentences to the three defendants who were convicted, after the victims – two women aged 16 and 18 at the time – chose to forgive the accused.
Those players received a one-year suspended prison sentence for “child pornography” and must attend a sexual “re-education” course. They were also given a two-year restraining order preventing contact with the victims and a three-year ban from working in any profession related to minors.
Asencio, by contrast, leaves the case with no criminal record from this episode, and with a sense of vindication he has been waiting months to express.
Asencio: “I have been acquitted”
Breaking his silence after the ruling, Asencio released a statement reflecting on the toll of the process and the public glare that accompanied it.
“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.
“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.
“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.”
One chapter closes. Another, less serious but still damaging, remains open.
Drink‑driving case keeps pressure on
Separate from the court case over the video, Real Madrid have launched disciplinary proceedings against Asencio after he was convicted of drink‑driving, again in Gran Canaria.
On 16 August, he was found to be more than three times over the legal limit. The incident led to a fine and an eight-month suspension of his driving licence.
Inside Valdebebas, the focus is on how a young player represents the club beyond training pitches and matchdays. Jose Mourinho did not hide his frustration.
“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,” the Real Madrid coach 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.”
The message was clear: the badge does not come off when a player leaves the training ground.
Defender vows to learn and move on
Asencio did not try to soften his responsibility for the drink‑driving offence. In the same statement in which he welcomed his acquittal in the video case, he addressed the incident 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.
“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.”
Cleared in one courtroom, punished in another, and under the watchful eye of a club that demands spotless standards, Asencio now knows his next moves will be judged as closely as any tackle he makes.
