The match between Deportivo Alavés and Real Madrid at Mendizorroza was once again overshadowed by off-field incidents related to Raúl Asencio. The young Real Madrid player is involved in a judicial investigation for an alleged case of distributing sexual content material with minors. He was the target of serious insults and protests from a part of the local fans.
What Asencio Heard and Read in Vitoria
From the hours before the match, the streets of Vitoria were plastered with posterspointing to Asencio and Real Madrid with phrases like "Protectors of Aggressors" and "Get Out of Here."
The tension moved to the stadium, where during the second half of the match chants like "Asencio die" or "Asencio scum, get out of Vitoria" were heard. The referee Soto Grado was forced to stop the match and activate the protocol against verbal violence and hate.
The Referee Stopped the Match
In the referee's report, it was noted that, in the 70th minute, the match was stopped to read a message over the loudspeaker. It was about putting an end to the insults.
The Alavés field delegate coordinated the message: "Deportivo Alavés rejects and condemns any form of violence, racism, or xenophobia in sports. Cheer with passion and respect."
This is not the first time Asencio has suffered this type of situation. Already at the Reale Arena, during a match against Real Sociedad, the protocol was activated by Sánchez Martínez in response to similar chants. In both cases, the controversy has caused an intense debate about the response of the competent bodies.
Real Madrid's interim coach, Davide Ancelotti, expressed his disappointment after the match: "As a society, this is regrettable. We just want to compete on the field. But it's not the first time it has happened, and we hope it doesn't happen again."
"Let's Stop the Nonsense"
Meanwhile, Asencio didn't want the game to be definitively interrupted. He reacted with composure: "It's okay, go on," he told his teammates after the incident.
He then addressed Davide Ancelotti, who was substituting for his father on the bench: "Let's win this match and stop the nonsense," he said.
The Asencio case continues to shake the Real Madrid club, which is in the media spotlight not only for sports but also for managing this complicated off-field situation. The controversy is far from over.