Perez targets rival campaign over Calderon-era links in Real Madrid election launch
Florentino Perez has opened his re-election campaign by accusing opponent Enrique Riquelme’s supporters of being led by figures from the club’s controversial past, while highlighting the institution’s economic strength.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez launched his latest presidential campaign with a direct confrontation of rival candidate Enrique Riquelme, framing the upcoming election as a defence of the club’s current institutional structure. In a public address, Perez positioned himself as the guardian of the club’s stability, warning members against what he described as an organised campaign designed to shift the institution’s future identity.
The president explicitly linked the opposition movement to the controversial tenure of former president Ramon Calderon. Perez alleged that the current campaign against his leadership is being directed by the same individuals who served on the board during that period, accusing them of having previously undermined members’ sovereignty and facilitated voting by non-members. He stated that the current opposition figures, including relatives and executives associated with the former board, are motivated by self-interest rather than a desire to serve the club.
Defending his administration’s record, Perez emphasised Real Madrid’s position as the richest club in the world. He noted that the club’s organisational structure is studied at Harvard University, using these points to reinforce the image of Real Madrid as a global financial and technological powerhouse under his leadership. The president argued that the decision to hold elections was heavily influenced by external pressures aimed at destabilising the current administration.
Addressing operational concerns, Perez announced stricter measures to combat the illegal resale of tickets. He pledged that season tickets confiscated through these enforcement actions would be redistributed to ordinary supporters who do not hold season tickets. This policy was presented as part of his broader effort to protect the interests of the club’s membership base against commercial exploitation.
The launch of the campaign marked a significant escalation in the political dynamics of the Real Madrid presidential election. By characterising the opposition as a continuation of a past era, Perez sought to consolidate support among members who value the current financial and structural direction of the institution. The speech served as both a defence of his tenure and a warning against what he portrayed as a dangerous shift in the club’s governance.
