MADRID (SPAIN) (ITALPRESS) – “I’m sorry to tell you that I will not resign, but I have asked for the process to begin for new board elections, in which we will run.” This was the announcement made by Florentino Perez, who called a press conference to settle more than a few scores.
The Real Madrid president chose to show strength, relying on an election that could reinforce his position despite the criticism and attacks he has received. “At Madrid there is no single owner; there are 1,000 members, and I made this decision because an absurd situation has been created, driven by campaigns against the interests of Real Madrid and against me personally. We did not achieve the best results, but in sports you do not always win. Yet some people took advantage of the situation to attack me personally. I heard people say: ‘Where is Florentino?’ But I normally do not speak publicly. Some even said I have terminal cancer: I can assure you that my health is perfect.”
Perez did not hide his frustration over a season in which “we failed to win anything. But under my presidency we have won 66 titles in football and basketball, including seven European Cups. And I want to address those behind this campaign, those operating in the shadows: let them stand in the elections. Now they have the chance. I will stand to defend the interests of Real Madrid.”
Perez also pointed the finger at the press. “Journalists and their associates do not run Real Madrid. People do not believe them; they believe me. Journalists think they influence the club’s decisions because they believe they are important, but that is not the case. The members are the ones in charge here. Anyone who wants to run should do so. But they should not whisper behind my back that I am tired. I cannot accept this simply because we did not win La Liga or the Champions League this year. They say Real Madrid is in chaos now, but we remain the most prestigious club in the world.”
He also brought up the Negreira case: “There are referees from that era who are still officiating today. We will present a dossier to UEFA to ensure that all this comes to an end.”
Perez, in short, is continuing on his path. “I will not leave. I will be the last member to leave. The owners of Madrid are the members. If someone wants to stand in the elections, let them do it, but they should stop hesitating: run and explain how they will finance everything. In 2000 I personally guaranteed 174 million pesetas to allow salaries to be paid. I put that money in myself, and today Real Madrid is a financially healthy club. Now someone wants to take over Real Madrid, but I have been here for 26 years and I will not allow it.”
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
