Raul Asencio cleared in case over alleged sharing of intimate video

Raul Asencio has been cleared of allegations that he shared, without permission, a video involving two women, one of whom was underage at the time, the Real Madrid defender has announced.

Asencio was accused of distributing footage in which some of his team-mates from Real Madrid’s youth setup had sexual relations with the two women from the Canary Islands. He had remained publicly silent while respecting the legal process.

Writing on Twitter, Asencio said: “Today, after a long period of silence and out of respect for the legal process in which I have always believed, I can say that I have been acquitted of the charges brought against me, and I believe the time has come to say a few words.”

He added: “I have lived through a difficult situation during these months, and at times I have had to see information and opinions about me being published before the courts had reached a decision.

“I understand and respect the work of the media and its right to report the news and express opinions, but I also believe it is important to remember that behind every report there is a person and a family who have to live with the consequences of what is published.”

Asencio said he had always trusted the judicial system to resolve the matter.

“I have always trusted that justice would eventually put things right,” he wrote. “Today, there is a court ruling that speaks for itself, and I receive it with peace of mind and complete satisfaction, because I am now able to close a chapter that was very important to me.”

The defender said he did not want to revisit the most difficult moments or become involved in public arguments.

“I do not want to get into the noise or the difficult moments,” he said. “I would rather focus on supporting the people who stood by me and believed in me throughout this period.”

Asencio thanked his family, friends, agent and lawyers, as well as those who supported him. He also expressed gratitude to Real Madrid and everyone at the club for continuing to trust him.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my family, my friends, my agent and my lawyers, and to everyone who supported me and gave me strength when I needed it most,” he wrote.

“I would also like to thank Real Madrid and everyone there who showed their confidence in me and allowed me to continue working, developing and enjoying what I love more than anything: playing football.”

Asencio said he had tried to stay away from the spotlight while continuing to work and move forward. He also asked those who had spoken about the case to give the court’s decision the same level of attention as the earlier coverage.

“During this process, I tried to remain away from the spotlight, continue working and move forward,” he said. “Today, I can do that with peace of mind, knowing that I always trusted in the truth.

“To those who have spoken about me during these months, all I ask now that the courts have issued their ruling is that this part of the story is covered with the same level of attention.”

He said he wanted to close the matter “with respect, my head held high and with great enthusiasm to move forward”.

Asencio also addressed a separate incident involving a breathalyser test after drinking alcohol.

“I would like to refer to an incident involving a breath alcohol test,” he said. “I deeply regret what happened and take full responsibility. It was an experience from which I learned a great deal, and I am completely confident that it will not happen again.

“Now I want to look to the future, continue working and growing, and focus on what I love most: playing football.”

Asencio concluded: “Now it is my turn to speak, and I fully agree with my coach – not only on the pitch, but off it too. Hala Madrid. Let everyone be completely certain of that.”

The 22-year-old was absent from Real Madrid’s start to the current season because of a muscle injury.