Asencio cleared over allegedly sharing explicit video
September 3, 2026 18:25
Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio has been acquitted by a Spanish court of involvement in the distribution of a sexually explicit video that involved a minor. The court in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria dropped the charges against the 23-year-old.
The case concerned a recording and dissemination of an explicit clip from an intimate encounter at a Gran Canaria beach club in June 2023. Three former team-mates from the Real Madrid academy were convicted and received the minimum prison terms after the two victims, aged 16 and 18, forgave the accused. Separately, Real Madrid have opened disciplinary proceedings against Asencio over a drink-driving conviction from 16 August in Gran Canaria; he was fined and had his driving licence suspended for eight months.
KEY CONTEXT
- Asencio is a product of the Real Madrid academy and has made first-team appearances for the club.
- The court described the case as connected to the recording and distribution of a sexually explicit video from an encounter at a beach club in June 2023.
- Three other defendants were found guilty of child pornography offences; they received one-year suspended sentences, must attend a sexual re‑education course, are subject to a two-year restraining order, and are barred for three years from working in roles related to minors.
- Manager José Mourinho has commented on the broader situation, saying he discussed past events with Asencio when the player arrived, praised his training attitude and noted that players’ conduct outside the club affects Real Madrid’s reputation.
WHY IT MATTERS
The court ruling clears Asencio of criminal liability in the video case, removing the immediate legal threat to his status as a player. However, the club’s internal disciplinary process over the separate drink‑driving conviction remains active, so his standing with Real Madrid is not solely determined by the criminal outcome. The convictions of three academy graduates also raise institutional questions about conduct among young players linked to the club.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
- The outcome of Real Madrid’s disciplinary proceedings against Asencio relating to the drink‑driving incident.
- Asencio’s return to full participation after a recent injury Mourinho referenced and whether the club imposes any further sanctions beyond the court ruling and the criminal penalties already imposed on others involved.
- Any official statements or actions from the club following the court decision and the separate internal process.
KEY FACTS
- Raúl Asencio, 23, was acquitted by a Spanish court in Las Palmas of involvement in distributing an explicit video.
- The alleged recording related to an intimate encounter at a Gran Canaria beach club in June 2023; victims were aged 16 and 18.
- Three former Real Madrid academy team-mates were convicted, given one-year suspended sentences, must attend a sexual re-education course, face a two-year restraining order, and a three-year ban from working with minors.