Former Real Madrid star calls for tough punishment for Raul Asencio: ‘He needs a strong sanction’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol on 19 August following a fast-track trial in San Bartolome de Tirajana, three days after he was stopped at a routine police checkpoint in the south of Gran Canaria.

The injured defender had been back in pre-season training since 13 July and was driving his Porsche in a leisure area when he recorded a blood alcohol level of 0.90 mg/l, almost four times the legal limit.

Asencio accepted a sentence consisting of a €14,400 fine and an eight-month driving ban.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid have launched an internal investigation against the academy graduate, with manager Jose Mourinho also expressing his disappointment over the incident.

Second brush with the law

Meanwhile, Asencio is also due to appear in court in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria alongside three other former Real Madrid academy players, Ferran Ruiz, Juan Rodriguez and Andres Garcia.

The trial concerns two alleged offences involving the disclosure of secrets, offences against privacy and an offence involving the distribution of child pornography.

Under the scanner. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Asencio is not accused of taking part in the events or making the recording itself, but he is alleged to have participated in the distribution of the images.

The victims had indicated that they would withdraw their accusations if Asencio apologised. They accepted his apologies before a notary and received compensation.

But the case could not be formally closed because it is a semi-public prosecution. The evidence must therefore still be examined during the trial.

Miguel Torres calls for a strong response

Former Real Madrid player Miguel Torres has publicly addressed Asencio’s situation and called for a response that is both proportionate and sufficiently strong to set an example.

“Driving in that state can put other people at risk. I wouldn’t call for his immediate dismissal, but obviously I believe he should be given the opportunity to rectify his mistake. He needs a strong sanction,” he said on Onda Cero.

Torres also argued that financial punishment alone is not necessarily enough, particularly for professional footballers at the highest level.

“In football and at this level, the financial side often doesn’t solve the problems,” Torres added.

Instead, the former defender believes Asencio could benefit from measures with a wider social impact.

“I’d lean more towards an awareness campaign, something that can help society because, in the end, athletes should be role models,” he noted.

“Maybe this young man has made a mistake and can rectify it, so that young people can see that he has dealt with it in some way.”

Real Madrid face a difficult decision

The situation has raised broader questions about the responsibility professional athletes have away from the pitch and the influence their behaviour can have on the public.

Asencio is now dealing with two separate legal situations, one of which has already been resolved and another that remains before the courts.

That leaves Real Madrid facing a difficult decision over whether to impose additional internal disciplinary measures or focus instead on educational and socially orientated action.