Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio, who was indicted in a case involving viewing and distribution of a sexual video of a minor, issued a statement on Thursday defending his position and stressing that presumption of innocence must prevail. The 22-year-old centre-back was among four footballers indicted by a Gran Canaria court on Wednesday in connection with a complaint filed by the mother of a 16-year-old girl who appeared in a video filmed in June 2023.
The case originated in September 2023 when three unnamed Real Madrid players were arrested and later released after data from their mobile phones were collected.
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SUBSCRIBE NOW!Court documents indicate Asencio's possible involvement was limited to viewing some images shared by a third party, without any direct participation in recording or sharing the content.
"I have not participated in any behavior that infringes upon the sexual freedom of any woman, much less minors," Asencio stated. "This is confirmed by the resolution issued by the court, which does not accuse me of having engaged in sexual relations with the two women involved, nor of having recorded them, with or without their consent. Likewise, the court order clarifies that I was not the one who sent any intimate images or videos to third parties which, I reiterate, were recorded in a place different from where I was."
Asencio emphasized the provisional nature of the indictment and expressed his intention to defend himself if the case proceeds to trial.
"The indictment formulated against me, as expressly indicated by the judicial resolution itself, has a strictly provisional nature," he said. "The presumption of innocence must continue to prevail. In the event that charges are eventually made and a trial is opened, I will continue to defend myself before the courts and tribunals, in which I maintain full confidence, reaffirming my detachment from any criminal conduct."
The young defender has established himself as a regular in Real Madrid's first team under Carlo Ancelotti during his breakthrough season.
The case and his 'alleged' involvement has triggered hostile reactions from opposing fans across Spain. Barcelona supporters chanted "Asencio, to jail" during the recent Clasico match.
A Copa del Rey semi-final match at Real Sociedad was temporarily halted by the referee after home fans chanted "Asencio die."
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