Real Madrid Youth Players Arrested Over Explicit Video Controversy

 Real Madrid Youth Players Arrested Over Explicit Video Controversy

Real Madrid Youth Players Arrested Over Explicit Video Controversy(Image-Getty)

Spanish police have arrested three youth players from Real Madrid on Thursday for their alleged involvement in distributing a sexually explicit video featuring a minor. These arrests have intensified the ongoing discussion about sexism and macho behavior within Spanish soccer.

Although the arrested players are not minors themselves, they were later released following a court decision, during which data from their mobile phones was seized, according to a statement by the police.

The case originated from a complaint made by the mother of a 16-year-old girl in the Canary Islands, concerning an alleged recording of sexual relations. The police clarified that while the girl claimed the relations were consensual, the recording took place without her consent in June, and she had only recently become aware of it.

These arrests have come at a time when there are already allegations of sexual abuse against former soccer federation chief Luis Rubiales. Last month, Rubiales kissed Spain's World Cup winner, Jenni Hermoso, on the lips, which led to significant public outrage and comparisons to the Me Too movement. Rubiales resigned on Sunday after resisting calls to step down for weeks and is scheduled to appear before a judge on Friday. He maintains that the kiss was mutual and consensual.

The police stated that the three players were detained at the Real Madrid sports complex in Madrid, and a fourth player is currently under investigation. One of those arrested is a reserve team player, and two belong to the third team.

Real Madrid released a statement acknowledging that four youth team players had been questioned by the police "in connection with a complaint about an alleged release of a private video via WhatsApp."

According to El Confidencial newspaper, the primary focus of the investigation centers on a player from the third team, who allegedly recorded his sexual encounter with the 16-year-old victim.

All three players are suspected of committing a felony under Spanish criminal law known as "revealing secrets of a sexual nature," according to a police spokesperson.