Real Madrid president Florentino Perez held a press conference on May 13, addressing recent controversies surrounding the club and his leadership.
Perez stated: “An absurd situation has been created against Real Madrid and myself. The team cannot win every match, but we cannot accept what is happening now. Some people are using this moment to attack me. They ask, ‘Where is Florentino?’ If I don’t speak out, they say I’m ill, even claiming I have terminal cancer.”
“I want to take this opportunity to tell those who care about me: I am still the club president and continue to manage my own company, which generates an annual turnover of 50 billion euros. My health is excellent. If I really had cancer, I would be receiving treatment at an oncology center, and the news would have spread worldwide. That is simply not the case, but the rumor has grown larger and larger,” he added.
Regarding a report by ABC claiming he told the board he was tired, Perez challenged the journalist directly: “ABC wrote that I said I was tired before the board meeting. Thank you very much. I don’t even know the person who wrote this… But how can you publish such a thing? Was David Sánchez de Castro present? I want to meet him and say hello. ABC keeps publishing these stories without any reason. I wake up very early every day and am the last to rest. I work like an animal.”
Perez accused certain forces of orchestrating a campaign against him: “I am the one who most wants to win every title. During my presidency, Real Madrid’s football team has won 37 titles, and the basketball team 29. I want to talk about those who are constantly running campaigns behind the scenes. Anyone who wants to run for president is welcome to step forward. I will also participate in this election to defend the interests of Real Madrid members. They cannot scare me; it only gives me more motivation.”
“Some forces have always wanted to control Real Madrid, but they have not succeeded. At Real Madrid, it is not journalists or those around them who make the decisions. People do not trust them; they trust me. Some journalists think they are important and can influence the club’s decisions, but that is not the case. The members are in charge here. Stop these petty maneuvers. If anyone wants to run, then come forward and run. But do not talk behind my back about being tired. We cannot accept this just because we did not win La Liga and the Champions League this year.”
“They say Real Madrid is in chaos now, but Real Madrid remains the most prestigious club in the world,” he declared.
On the Negreira case, Perez said: “Three years ago, we learned about the Negreira case. It is the biggest scandal in history. Payments were made continuously for 20 years, and more importantly, during the third decade, the same group of referees was officiating. We will submit important material to UEFA, hoping they can resolve this issue from the root, for the benefit of world football.”
