Real Madrid’s Raúl Asencio acquitted in privacy case, apologises for DUI

Abdullateef Fowewe

Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio has announced his full acquittal in a 2023 privacy case over a non‑consensual sex video from his youth academy days, while separately apologising for a recent drink‑driving conviction.

A court in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Thursday formally acquitted Asencio after prosecutors withdrew all charges against him following the victims’ formal pardon in court.

He was accused only of showing the video to a third party, not of filming it or taking part in the recorded encounter.

Three former Real Madrid youth teammates—Andrés García, Ferrán Ruiz and Juan Rodríguez—received one‑year suspended prison sentences, two‑year restraining orders and three‑year bans on working with minors after pleading guilty to their roles in recording and distributing the footage.

In a statement shared via Instagram on Thursday, Asencio said, “Today, after a long period of silence and respecting a judicial process in which I always had faith, I can say that I have been ACQUITTED.”

He added, “I always trusted that justice would eventually set things right. Today, there is a court ruling that speaks for itself, and I receive it with peace of mind and with the satisfaction of being able to close a chapter that has been very important to me.”

Thanking his support network, he wrote, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, my friends, my agent, my lawyers, and everyone who supported me and gave me strength when I needed it most.

“I also want to thank Real Madrid and everyone at the club who have shown me their trust and allowed me to continue working, growing, and enjoying what I love most: playing football.”

Addressing media coverage, he said, “To those who spoke about me during these months, I only ask that, now that the courts have ruled, this part of the story also be told with the same care.”

Apology over DUI conviction
In the same statement, Asencio addressed his August 2026 drink‑driving offence, for which he was convicted after recording 0.90 mg/l in a breath test nearly four times Spain’s legal limit and handed an eight‑month licence suspension and a €14,400 fine.

“I also want to address an incident related to driving under the influence. I am deeply sorry for what happened and I fully accept my responsibility. It’s been a learning experience, and I’m absolutely certain it won’t happen again,” he wrote.

He concluded, “Now I want to look ahead, keep working, keep growing, and focus on what I love most: playing football.

“Hala Madrid. Let there be no doubt about it.”