Florentino Pérez: “There is an orchestrated campaign ongoing against Real Madrid”

Just over 24 hours after his emergency press conference, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has been talking to the media again. He did so with Josep Pedrerol on La Sexta TV. After Tuesday’s press conference which had a global impact, Perez announced elections which were made official today, where he repeatedly focused his criticism on the ABC newspaper, where he spoke of “a campaign against Real Madrid and against me in particular,” and also of Negreira (“I’ve only won seven league titles, which could have been 14, but he stole them from me”).

He also made it clear that leaving was not on his mind: “They’ll have to shoot me to get out.” Today, the 79-year-old began like this: “There has been criticism from the media that doesn’t correspond to reality. I’ve only received congratulatory messages for yesterday.”

Pedrerol-Perez interview

Have you read ABC today?

No. The last time I read it was yesterday when, before going into the press conference, I read a message saying I was tired. If I’m tired, it’s from work. But what they want to convey is that I’m exhausted, that I have illnesses. And it’s very difficult to live with these rumors and with these media outlets that are saying this.

What hurts the most?

All of it is just rumors. That’s a personal lie. And then there’s the club, which is financially and socially sound.

Does he need to point the finger at journalists?

I can endure anything, but it’s very difficult to live in this hostile environment. And I said: that’s it.

Do you want to continue?

Of course. And to win many more European Cups. Do you (Pedrerol) also think I’m sick?

Do you really believe there is an orchestrated campaign?

Of course. I inherited this club when there was a journalist whose name I won’t mention. I don’t talk to journalists because, firstly, I’m very busy. I have a very large company. I don’t give interviews because I don’t think it’s a good idea to give interviews.

It’s been two years without major titles at the club.

We’ve come to devalue what we have. Last year, we won the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup. Does that mean nothing now? Let’s not take this to absurd extremes. This is an orchestrated campaign. I don’t own Real Madrid; the members do. Faced with this conflict, I decided to call elections. In this situation of constant instability, I had to.

Don’t you know Mr. Riquelme?

I don’t know that man. When the elections were called in 2000, I didn’t ask for them to be postponed. I ran and I won.

Are you worried about the boos at the Bernabéu?

No. I’ve been here a quarter of a century, Josep. Do you think that at this point... I’ve heard it all. I don’t want this atmosphere. I want any candidates who want to run to do so. I tell the members that they are the real owners and that I think it’s terrible that they boo the players. Regarding the fights... several players have fought every year. When it’s public, it’s because someone wanted to know about it.

“We cannot tolerate this atmosphere that some journalists have created. And since I am not the owner, I have called for elections and let whoever wants to run. Why should we put up with this?”

Florentino, en 'La Sexta'

People expected that with Mbappé, Madrid would be better.

This year hasn’t gone as planned, but we’ve still accomplished some things. It all started with the Club World Cup. We haven’t been able to recover our fitness. Finishing second... so what does Atlético have to do? And what about the other teams?

Some of your comments yesterday labeled as sexist...

Everyone knows me by now. The poor girl was raising her hand, and the person who was supposed to give her the floor wouldn’t let her. Is saying “this girl” considered derogatory? We’re blowing this out of proportion.

And when he spoke about the column written by a woman who “didn’t know if she knew anything about football”...

The people writing this were sports journalists; I know them all. What I meant to say is that that journalist wasn’t a sports journalist. The thing is, they’re targeting me.

Why do you think you bother people so much?

Those journalists want to influence Real Madrid. And they won’t influence me. They haven’t influenced me since 2000, but I get along well with all of them. Except for those who spread rumors. There are people who don’t want the members to have any say, and I want the members to have that say.

“There are some Ultras Sur members who operate clandestinely and they won’t be allowed in the Bernabéu anymore. I’m being congratulated for that. They shouldn’t be in a football stadium and I was able to get them kicked out.”

Florentino, en 'La Sexta'

There are some Ultras Sur members who operate clandestinely, and they won’t be allowed in the Bernabéu anymore. I’m congratulated for that. They shouldn’t be in a football stadium, and I’ve been able to get them kicked out. This year we’ve expelled 1,600 Real Madrid members who were trafficking season tickets.

And what do you think about Barça’s potential lawsuit?

They would be right to do so. If they think they have to sue us... I hadn’t heard about the Negreira Case until three years ago. Real Madrid is the first to come forward as an injured party. Then I realized that FC Barcelona had been paying for over two decades. Football is waiting for the biggest corruption case in the world to be resolved. Do we want serious football? It’s systemic corruption. Real Madrid is the only one that has filed a formal complaint. LaLiga is also involved and says nothing.

“Football is waiting for the biggest corruption case in the world to be resolved. Do we want serious football? This is systemic corruption. Real Madrid is the only club that has filed a formal complaint. LaLiga has also filed a complaint and said nothing.”

Florentino Pérez, en 'La Sexta'

Do you think the courts will rule in your favor?

I think so. Next week we’ll present UEFA with the documentation from all these years. 500 pages. It’s very important documentation. We’ve submitted, year after year, all the points they’ve blatantly taken from us. This year they’ve taken between 16 and 18 points. Ceferin has told us we’re within our rights.

And what about the Super League?

The CJEU has ruled in our favor, and we have the right to create the Super League. And as such, we are the ones who have been wronged. But I don’t want money; I want what’s best for football. We are working with UEFA now, and we have a very good relationship. We want football to improve, and UEFA has changed its mind.

Will concerts return to the Bernabéu?

Real Madrid bears no responsibility. We will negotiate with the regional government so they can give us some rules.

“It’s the first time I’ve met those neighbors (from the Bernabéu). I have to believe they’re Atlético fans.”

Florentino Pérez, en 'La Sexta'

Were you expecting so many problems?

No. But everyone’s against us. Real Madrid is very powerful. We’re working on everything the Community has asked of us, and they need to pass legislation that allows us to hold events. We don’t make money from concerts; it’s a reputational issue. I think concerts will return to the Bernabéu. It’s the first time I’ve met those neighbors (the ones from the Bernabéu). I have to believe they’re Atlético fans.

Is this pressure worth it?

I don’t feel any pressure at ACS. I don’t know why there’s so much animosity towards Real Madrid. All this talk about Florentino being finished, or him disappearing... I don’t give interviews. I have to keep a very private life.

Do you like Mourinho?

I like all coaches. He was with us, he raised our level of competition. It’s not true that I choose the coaches.

And the tension in the locker room?

No. They get along perfectly well. Fights in training have been constant. Tell that to any club. But what’s lacking is the malicious intent of this orchestrated campaign.

I think he was wrong about the journalists. They have an obligation to look for leaks.

I also have an obligation to confront journalists. And that’s okay. I have to defend the owners of Real Madrid, who are the members. We have to call out the journalists who are enemies of Real Madrid.

“I also have an obligation to confront journalists. And that’s okay. I have to defend the owners of Real Madrid, who are the members. We have to call out the journalists who are enemies of Real Madrid.”

Florentino Pérez, en 'La Sexta'

Were you wrong to sign Xabi Alonso?

No. We didn’t have a preseason. When you don’t have a preseason, you suffer physically. We thought the substitution would solve the problem, but it only lasted a little while and then they fell apart again.

Does the dressing room have too much power?

No. The coaches are in charge. I don’t know why I said I’d ‘spoiled the players.’ I’ve never spoken to any of the players. Not even back then. I swear, Josep.

Is Mbappé committed to the club?

Mbappé is a player Real Madrid has right now. He won the Golden Boot, so it’s not like he’s lacking goals. But we need to improve. We’re hurting from the Champions League, that referee they assigned us... I have to believe he didn’t do it maliciously, because he didn’t understand.

Will there be any signings?

Of course. There have always been signings, we’ve always signed the best. I’ve signed Figo, Kaká, Ronaldo ‘El Gordo’, Beckham... When there’s a good one, I go for him. Haaland? I don’t comment on that. That’s the sporting director’s job, I don’t get involved in that.

Is the relationship with Barça broken?

Completely broken. I don’t want anything to do with a club that has paid off referees for two decades. I want justice to be served.

Are you going to renew Vinicius’ contract?

But I’m not renewing. I think Vinicius is one of Real Madrid’s best players. He won the last two Champions Leagues. There’s no rush to renew his contract; we have all season to talk. You think I’m in charge of everything, but that’s the sporting director’s job.

Would you like to be coached by Mourinho?

Mourinho is such a pain. I didn’t even speak to Mourinho when he came here (for the Champions League match against Benfica).

Would you like a face-to-face debate with the other candidate?

I didn’t have a face-to-face meeting with him. Let him come forward, let him show his face. Let him present his guarantee, which has to be his. I want to put an end to this mess and for things to return to normal.

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