Raul Asencio has spoken publicly about a year dominated by two off-field incidents and a recent leg operation that is keeping the Real Madrid defender out of action.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Asencio said he had remained clear in his conscience after being involved in a legal case that eventually ended without a conviction.
“I did not kill anyone, I did nothing,” he said. “But beyond that, it was simply a procedural matter. I was clear in my conscience, and that is the most important thing.”
Video case
Asencio was tried alongside three other Real Madrid academy graduates – Ferran Ruiz, Juan Rodriguez and Andres Garcia – who were accused of recording and distributing sexual videos involving two young women, one of whom was underage, without their consent.
Although Asencio was not present when the acts took place, he was prosecuted for sharing the footage with a third party.
In July, he reached an agreement with the two victims aimed at reducing his responsibility in the case. One of the women withdrew her accusation after receiving undisclosed compensation and a formal letter of apology from Asencio, in which he acknowledged the “mistake” of displaying the images.
On 3 September, prosecutors dropped the charges against Asencio and reduced their requests in relation to the other three defendants after both victims told the court they had forgiven them.
The defender was acquitted in a final ruling. The other three were given one-year suspended prison sentences for “exploitation of minors in pornographic material” and were ordered to attend a “rehabilitation” course.
Asencio said abuse from supporters had not affected him during the case.
“When I went to the stadium, I went to play football, not to argue with a hostile stand,” he said.
He added that the situation had been harder for his family, “because it is not nice to hear that being said about your son”.
Driving offence
The other incident took place behind the wheel. On 16 August, Asencio recorded an alcohol level of 0.90mg per litre in a test in the south of Gran Canaria – about four times the legal limit of 0.25.
He was fined 14,400 euros and disqualified from driving for eight months. Jose Mourinho confirmed that the club had opened disciplinary proceedings against him.
Asencio accepted responsibility and rejected any criticism of Mourinho.
“Mo [Mourinho] did not make a mistake. He was completely right,” he said. “I was the one who made the mistake. I admitted it and I still admit it, and I apologised and will continue to do so.”
Asked about Barcelona’s Negreira case, Asencio replied: “Negreira is still there. And if he is still there, there is a reason for it. But I will not say anything more.”
The Spanish defender also backed his team-mate Kylian Mbappe to win the Ballon d’Or and expressed confidence that Real Madrid could lift the Champions League trophy at Metropolitano.
“Impossible? It is very possible,” he said.
