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Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio acquitted in sex-tape sharing case

Al Jazeera · 2026-09-03

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio was acquitted of charges related to sharing a sexually explicit video without consent, including that of a minor, after prosecutors dropped the case. • Why it matters: The court's decision reflects a significant legal outcome for Asencio, who has faced scrutiny over his conduct, while also highlighting the complexities of player behavior and club reputation in professional sports. • What to watch next: Asencio's future with Real Madrid remains uncertain as the club addresses his recent legal issues and ongoing hamstring injury, with disciplinary proceedings initiated by the team.

**Title: Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio Acquitted in Sex-Tape Sharing Case**

**Date: September 3, 2026**

Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has been acquitted of charges related to the sharing of a sexually explicit video without the consent of the victims, including a minor. A court on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria announced the decision on September 1, 2026, following a review of the case.

The court's ruling came after prosecutors decided to drop the charges against the 23-year-old centre-back. Asencio was accused of sharing the video but was not implicated in its filming. In a related development, the court also reduced the sentencing requests for three other former Real Madrid youth players involved in the case. These players had been charged with recording and disseminating sexual videos of two teenage women, one of whom was underage. They received sentences of one year in prison, which were suspended on the condition that they do not commit further offenses during that time.

The case took a significant turn when the victims expressed forgiveness towards the defendants, which contributed to the prosecutors' decision to drop the charges against Asencio.

In an unrelated matter, Asencio faced legal repercussions for driving under the influence of alcohol. He was fined 14,400 euros (approximately $16,800) and received an eight-month driving ban after admitting guilt in a separate court case. This incident occurred on August 16, 2026, when he was found to be more than three times over the legal alcohol limit.

Following these developments, Real Madrid's head coach, José Mourinho, addressed the media regarding Asencio's situation. Mourinho confirmed that the club had initiated disciplinary proceedings against the player but emphasized that Asencio would remain part of the team while the issues were being resolved.

“He’s a model professional. When he was fit, no one trained as hard as him,” Mourinho stated, highlighting Asencio's dedication to training despite his current injury. Asencio has not played for Real Madrid this season due to a hamstring injury, which is expected to sideline him for several more weeks.

Mourinho also acknowledged the importance of maintaining the club's reputation, stating, “A Real Madrid player remains so 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 12 months a year. Everything you do outside your professional sphere still reflects on Real Madrid and continues to damage the reputation of a club whose standing must not be undermined. I’m not happy. Everyone makes mistakes, but a series of mistakes is something different.”

Asencio's future with Real Madrid remains uncertain as the club navigates the implications of his recent legal troubles and injury status. The team's management will likely continue to monitor the situation closely as they balance player conduct with on-field performance.

Source: Al Jazeera
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