‘They haven’t got the message’ – Florentino Perez fires back at Real Madrid sale accusations from Enrique Riquelme | OneFootball

Florentino Perez has publicly responded to one of the biggest talking points of the ongoing Real Madrid presidential election campaign, rejecting claims that he is preparing the club for a future sale.

The accusations have been repeatedly raised by presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme, who has made opposition to the alleged privatisation of Real Madrid a central part of his campaign. 

Riquelme has argued on several occasions that he entered the election race to prevent the club from being sold, a claim that has generated significant debate among supporters.

Now, Perez has decided to address the issue directly through a video titled ‘Madrid is not for sale’, where he attempted to dismiss concerns and explain the intentions behind the club’s proposed ownership structure.

Perez rejects Real Madrid privatisation

With the election campaign gathering momentum, Perez made it clear that he believes the accusations are misleading and do not reflect the reality of the situation.

Responding to suggestions that Real Madrid could lose its member-owned identity, the club president stated,

“Well, look, whoever said that either hasn’t got the message or doesn’t want you to get it. Because it’s exactly the opposite of what we want to do.

“The club will continue to belong to its members. It will have its president, its Board of Directors, and its General Assembly of Delegates, who will be elected every four years.

“And everything important at the club will be done just as it has been up to now. Those who want to mislead people by saying that things are going to change, or whatever else they claim is going to change, are simply out to cause trouble,” he said.

Real Madrid belong to the members

Perez’s response comes after weeks of criticism from Riquelme, who has questioned the current leadership’s long-term plans and warned members about what he sees as potential risks surrounding the club’s future ownership.

However, the Real Madrid president insisted that the proposal being discussed is designed to strengthen the club rather than alter its structure.

“Today, Real Madrid belongs to its members, without a doubt. But that’s from a romantic and sentimental point of view. 

“From an economic point of view, however, we have nothing. And true ownership also means us being the owners of the value that Real Madrid holds.

“The current situation is very dangerous because, ultimately, an unscrupulous board of directors comes along, puts the club into debt, ruins it and, when it’s worth nothing – a situation I found myself in when I arrived in 2000.”

Details of the matter

Perez has responded to Riquelme’s accusations. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Although Perez has sought to reassure supporters, the discussion surrounding ownership is unlikely to disappear anytime soon.

The Real Madrid president went on to explain the structure he believes would better protect the club’s value while maintaining member control. 

According to Perez, the idea is not to hand over power to external investors but to create a framework that allows the institution to properly assess and protect its worth.

“The club can set up a company that owns 100% of the club. This is where we will manage our football and basketball activities. 

“The sole purpose of this is so that, if we wish to assess the club’s value, we can grant a symbolic stake to someone who can value it for us. 

“And thirdly, if, when the time comes, the members decide to bring in an investor, with a maximum stake of 5%, so that they can value the club at that global level or whatever, they will not run the club nor will they participate in any of its decisions.”