In a shocking turn of events, Spanish police arrested three Real Madrid youth players on Thursday for their alleged involvement in the distribution of a sexual video featuring a minor.
The players, who are not minors themselves, were taken into custody but later released after a court decision. Their mobile phones were seized by the authorities as part of the ongoing investigation. This incident has put Real Madrid, one of the most prestigious football clubs in the world, in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
The saga began when the club confirmed that a player from their reserve team, Castilla, and three Real Madrid youth players from their third team, Real Madrid C, had given statements to the Spanish police regarding the sharing of a private video on WhatsApp. Real Madrid responded promptly, stating, “When the club has detailed knowledge of the facts, it will take the appropriate measures.”
The arrests took place at the Real Madrid sports complex in Madrid, and a fourth player is currently under investigation in connection with the case. The incident itself stems from a complaint filed by the mother of a 16-year-old girl in the Canary Islands. The complaint alleges that a sexual video was recorded without her consent back in June, even though she maintains that the relations were consensual. The girl had recently become aware of the video’s existence, leading to the legal action.
This incident adds to the growing controversy surrounding allegations of sexual assault within Spanish football. Former soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales recently faced accusations of misconduct after he kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during a celebration after Spain won the Women’s World Cup. Rubiales resigned from his position following weeks of controversy but maintains that the kiss was mutual and consensual. He is scheduled to appear before a judge in the coming days.
The three Real Madrid youth players who were arrested are suspected of committing a felony under Spanish criminal law, specifically, “revealing secrets of a sexual nature,” as confirmed by a police spokesperson.
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