Asensio refuses to return £550,000

Former CEO of Real Mallorca Javier Marti Asensio admitted to having taken over £550,000 from Real Mallorca whilst he was at the club, but he said he has no intention of returning the money. In a statement described by judicial sources as “surreal”, Asensio appeared yesterday with his father and former club owner Javi Marti Mingarro in Madrid’s Plaza de Castilla court as defendants in alleged fraud against the club. The charges include misappropriation and mismanagement of corporate assets which could result in imprisonment if found guilty.

Marti Asensio admitted to the judge that over £400,000 was transferred to Safin Gestores, his father’s company. This was spotted by Mateu Alemany on his return to the club, who reported the facts. Alemany urged Marti Asensio to return the money, with the latter agreeing. But when Alemany went to cash the cheque, it bounced. There was only £214 in the account.

Asensio confirmed these facts yesterday, but refused to return the money as he “has alot of debt and cannot afford to pay”. Mingarro said he was unaware that the £400,000 was paid into his business.

Eventually, Asensio also admitted to having spent thousands of pounds on the club’s Visa card, but argued that the transactions were ‘for the sake of Mallorca’. The justification surprised the club’s legal representatives as Asensio had billed the club for purchases in supermarkets and drinks in night clubs. For example, on Friday 18th September at 05:42am, Asensio used the card to pay a £185 bar tab and in October paid a £100 bill at Restaurante Gerardo.

The case continues.