Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has been acquitted of alleged involvement in distributing a sexually explicit video involving a minor.
The 23-year-old was absolved of the offence by a Spanish court, and charges were withdrawn against him in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria.
The court also gave minimum sentences to the three defendants who were convicted after the victims, who were two women aged 16 and 18, forgave the accused.
The case was “linked to the recording and dissemination of a sexually explicit video related to an intimate encounter at a beach club in Gran Canaria in June 2023”.
Three of Asencio’s former teammates from the Real Madrid academy were given a one-year suspended prison sentence for “child pornography” and must attend a sexual “re-education” course.
They were also handed a two-year restraining order against the victims, and three years of disqualification from working in any profession related to minors.
In a statement, Asencio said: “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.
“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.”
In another separate case, Real Madrid have opened disciplinary proceedings against Asencio over a drink-driving conviction which also happened in Gran Canaria.
He was more than three times over the limit in the 16 August incident, which resulted in him being fined and having his driving licence suspended for eight months.
When asked about the incident, Real boss Jose Mourinho said: “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.
“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 the first to arrive and the 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.”
Asencio referred to his drink-driving conviction in his statement as he added: “I am deeply sorry for what happened and I fully accept my responsibility.
“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.”
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