Barcelona’s title hopes are edging closer, but off-field drama surrounding their biggest rivals continues to dominate headlines across Spain.
As Hansi Flick prepares his side for their final fixtures of the campaign, Barcelona remain focused on their rebuild both on and off the pitch ahead of what promises to be a crucial summer.
Meanwhile, the Catalan giants have also been keeping a close eye on Real Madrid’s affairs, particularly as several young talents emerge from their academy into the senior squad.
Barcelona ran Madrid riot this season with their latest coming in a 4-3 victory.
Barcelona have long believed their own La Masia system promotes not only talent but integrity – and the latest revelations from Madrid’s camp could not come at a worse time for their image.
While Real Madrid continue to rotate players and blood academy graduates, Marca reports that serious legal developments now threaten to cast a shadow over the Bernabeu.
According to the Spanish outlet, Raul Asencio and three former Real Madrid academy players have been formally prosecuted by a Gran Canaria court.
The charges relate to the alleged recording and distribution of explicit sexual images of two women—one of whom was underage—without their consent in June 2023.
Alongside Raul Asencio, 22, the other defendants are Andres Garcia, Ferran Ruiz, and Juan Rodriguez.
The alleged offences include discovery of secrets without consent, violation of privacy, and the distribution of explicit videos without the knowledge or permission of the victims.
More gravely, the quartet also face accusations of using a minor for pornographic purposes and possession of child pornography.
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These proceedings follow their arrest in September 2023, during which their mobile phones were seized by police.
The court has now ordered that the prosecution be formalised, clearing the path for the case to go to trial pending action from the prosecutor’s office.
While the players await further legal developments, Asencio surprisingly featured for Real Madrid against Mallorca in midweek.
The controversy has sent shockwaves through Spanish football, with fans, officials and clubs—including Barcelona—closely monitoring the situation.
Though Barca have had their own institutional challenges recently, this unfolding scandal could hand them a moral upper hand in the ever-present rivalry with Madrid.
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