Whistleblower withdraws complaint against Raúl Asencio: 'I accept the apologies'

One of the two women who accused Real Madrid defender Raúl Asencio of the non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit material has decided to withdraw her complaint, stating that she accepts the player’s apology. This surprising development has altered the course of a case that has gripped Spanish football since it first became public, though the legal process is far from over.

The revelation came through the Spanish radio program El Partidazo de COPE, which obtained and revealed a document sent by the 18-year-old complainant to the judge in charge of the case. In that letter, the young woman expressed her wish to forgive the player and not pursue criminal consequences against him. According to the program, she described the act as a serious but isolated mistake and said she did not believe there had been malicious intent. “It is the older victim, the 18-year-old. She understands it was a one-time mistake, without bad intentions, forgives him and wants to withdraw her accusation against him,” explained one of the journalists, before reading out excerpts of the letter. The words of the young woman were unequivocal: “I freely and voluntarily accept the apologies and express my forgiveness. I do not want Raúl Asencio to be criminally punished.”

Asencio himself also addressed the court with a written apology. In his statement, he admitted wrongdoing and sought to show remorse. “I acknowledge that I made a mistake. I want to apologize expressly and unconditionally,” wrote the 21-year-old defender, who joined Real Madrid’s youth system and was tipped for a promising career. His apology and the forgiveness of the 18-year-old complainant may help his case, but they do not bring the entire matter to a close.

The second complainant, who was 16 years old at the time of the alleged events, has not withdrawn her accusation. This means Asencio still faces one charge of distributing explicit images without consent, while three other players Andrés García, Ferrán Ruiz and Juan Rodríguez continue to face even more serious allegations. The three are accused not only of sharing the content but also of recording it without consent. Because one of the victims was under the age of 18, the accusations against them fall under Spanish child pornography laws, which carry harsher penalties.

The case dates back to June 15, 2023, when the four footballers allegedly met the two young women in a hotel in the Canary Islands. According to the prosecution, explicit videos were recorded and later circulated without the consent of the women involved. The accusations quickly escalated into a major legal matter, with the Spanish Public Prosecutor’s Office formally requesting a sentence of two years and six months in prison for Asencio in August 2024. At the time, he was facing two charges of illegal distribution of sexual content. The withdrawal of one complaint now reduces this to a single count, though the remaining allegations still carry significant legal risk.

Beyond the individual case, the situation has raised broader questions in Spain about the responsibilities of young athletes, the culture surrounding football, and the treatment of women. The scandal has drawn parallels with other high-profile cases in Spanish football, where off-field behavior has threatened to overshadow achievements on the pitch. Legal experts note that cases of non-consensual sharing of intimate material sometimes referred to as “revenge porn” have become more common in recent years, prompting lawmakers to introduce stricter punishments. The presence of a minor among the victims elevates this case further, as Spanish law treats any sexual material involving under-18s as child pornography, regardless of whether consent is claimed.

For Real Madrid, the allegations have been a source of quiet concern. The club has not made public statements, likely in order to avoid interfering with the judicial process, but it is clear that the reputational risks are serious. Real Madrid is one of the most closely scrutinized clubs in the world, and any involvement of its players in such scandals threatens both the image of the institution and its commercial interests. Internally, questions are being asked about how to handle Asencio’s future, with some voices arguing for patience until the legal process concludes, and others insisting that the club must protect its image first and foremost.

The withdrawal of the complaint by the 18-year-old complainant changes the tone of the case but does not erase the underlying allegations. Prosecutors may still proceed based on evidence and testimony, and the presence of the younger victim ensures that the matter remains serious and active. The case highlights a tension that often arises in criminal proceedings involving athletes: the personal forgiveness of victims may help defendants on a human level, but the state has its own duty to pursue justice, especially when minors are involved.

For Asencio, the next months will be critical. The forgiveness he received may mitigate his situation, but even a reduced conviction could derail a career that was only just beginning at the highest level. For the other three players involved, the stakes may be even higher, as they face accusations with potentially devastating legal consequences. And for Spanish football as a whole, the case is yet another reminder of the immense responsibilities that come with fame, and of the need for clubs and governing bodies to educate and guide young players about conduct, consent and the law.