Real Madrid youth players were arrested after a secret WhatsApp video was discovered.
Three Real Madrid young players were arrested Thursday for allegedly spreading a sexual film depicting a kid, at a time when sexist behaviour in Spanish soccer is at an all-time high.
The players, who were not minors, were later released following a court ruling and the seizure of the data on their mobile phones, according to police in a statement.
Earlier Thursday, the club revealed that a player from their reserve squad, Castilla, and three players from their third team, Real Madrid C, had given evidence to Spanish authorities over “the sharing of a private video on WhatsApp.”
“Real Madrid announced that it has been made aware that a Castilla player and three Real Madrid C players gave statements to the Guardia Civil in relation to the alleged sharing of a private video via WhatsApp,” the club said in a statement.
“When the club has detailed knowledge of the facts, it will take appropriate measures.”
The three were seized at the Real Madrid sports complex in Madrid, while a fourth player was being probed, according to police.
According to authorities, the investigation comes from a complaint submitted by the mother of a 16-year-old girl in the Canary Islands about an alleged recording of sexual encounters. They also stated that, while the girl claimed the relationships were consensual, the recording occurred in June without her consent and she was only recently made aware of it.
The charges come after sexual assault allegations against Spanish soccer federation director Luis Rubiales, who kissed midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women’s World Cup last month.
Rubiales resigned on Sunday after weeks of ignoring requests to do so, and he is scheduled to face before a judge on Friday. He claims the kiss was mutual and consensual.
Real Madrid youth players were arrested after a secret WhatsApp video was discovered.
The three jailed Madrid players are suspected of committing a felony classified in Spanish penal law as “revealing secrets of a sexual nature,” according to a police spokesperson.
