During the recent general assembly of Real Madrid‘s socios compromisarios, club president Florentino Pérez launched a fierce critique against UEFA, La Liga, and Spanish refereeing. Pérez expressed his frustration, stating, “I’ve heard that Real Madrid is against everything, which is not true. We tend to react more than we would like.”
His comments came in the wake of ongoing tensions between the club and governing bodies, particularly regarding competition formats and financial practices. Pérez’s remarks reflect a broader discontent within the club about how decisions are made at the highest levels of European and Spanish football. He emphasized that it is “abnormal and illegal” for UEFA to prevent clubs from organizing their own tournaments, asserting that such restrictions unfairly dictate the fate of clubs while compromising fan interests.
Pérez Targets UEFA’s Control
Pérez specifically criticized UEFA’s attempts to impose competition formats that he believes penalize supporters. “It is not normal in the 21st century for watching football on television to become increasingly expensive,” he argued, highlighting the disconnect between technological advancements and rising costs for fans. Furthermore, he pointed out that clubs are being forced into international fixtures, such as matches in Asia, due to UEFA’s influence.
A Critique of La Liga’s Decisions
The Real Madrid president did not hold back in his assessment of La Liga either. He took aim at league president Javier Tebas for promoting a match in Miami, questioning the logic behind playing a championship game outside Spain. “Even Frenkie de Jong finds it unusual,” he remarked, referring to Barcelona‘s captain. Pérez also condemned La Liga’s decision to grant financial incentives to certain teams for participating in these overseas matches, calling it an absurd comparison to NFL events that enjoy unanimous support from all involved clubs.
Moreover, Pérez raised concerns about La Liga’s deal with investment fund CVC, arguing that it mortgages the future of clubs for decades. He stated that it is “not normal” for La Liga to charge six times more than the Premier League while simultaneously failing to generate adequate revenue for its clubs. The lack of transparency regarding media budgets was another point of contention for Pérez, who accused some outlets of being created solely to undermine Real Madrid.
Despite these challenges, Pérez remains optimistic about Real Madrid’s future. “We are undoubtedly the only club in Europe with the strength necessary to take on this challenge,” he asserted confidently. With a global fan base exceeding the population of the European Union and being the most decorated club financially, he believes Real Madrid is well-positioned to advocate for change. “We respect all rules; you cannot pressure us with rejected registrations,” he added, emphasizing the resilience and unity within the club.
Pérez concluded by acknowledging that many clubs privately support Real Madrid’s stance against current practices, indicating a widespread desire for reform within Spanish football. As tensions continue to rise between major stakeholders in football governance, Pérez’s words serve as a rallying cry for change in an increasingly commercialized sport.
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