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Rabat – Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez surprised the media on Tuesday by announcing fresh elections at the club, while firmly rejecting speculation about his health.
The 79‑year‑old, who has led Madrid since 2009, opened his rare press conference by saying: “I’m sorry to tell you that I’m not going to resign.”
Pérez confirmed he will stand for re-election, inviting rivals to challenge him openly. “Those who want to come out and stand against me, they can,” he said. “I am also going to stand to defend the rights of our members.”
Perez has been elected unopposed in the last four elections. But after two trophyless seasons and growing unrest among fans, the Madrid president said he wanted renewed backing.
Analysts suggest the move is partly aimed at easing tensions before Madrid’s next home game, where frustration was expected to be directed at both the team and the president.
The president also addressed claims that he was seriously ill. He insisted he is in “perfect health” and dismissed talk of cancer: “Some people have said I have terminal cancer… It’s not true. They’ve invented it and that rumour has grown.”
A rare appearance
This was Perez’s first press conference since 2015, and the atmosphere was tense. His speech began slowly, with technical issues on the microphone, before gaining energy but losing clarity.
He focused heavily on alleged campaigns against him, blaming leaks, ultras, and sections of the Spanish press.
He clashed with journalists, particularly from ABC, and made controversial remarks about female reporters.
“There were two articles in ABC today criticizing Real Madrid, one of them written by a woman who I don’t even know if she knows anything about football,” he said at one point.
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Later, when another journalist tried to ask a question, he added: “That girl, for f..k’s sake, she’s got every right to speak her mind; you’re all bloody ugly, for f..’s sake.”
Brushing sporting issues aside
Despite fans wanting clarity on the team’s direction, Perez refused to discuss sporting matters. He avoided questions about Jose Mourinho being linked as a possible replacement for Álvaro Arbeloa. “We’re not at that stage now,” Perez said. “Today we’re not talking about football or the manager.”
He downplayed reports of a fight between Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde, calling it routine: “Players have been fighting every season in all my years here, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary… For me, the leak is worse than the fight.”
On Madrid’s poor season, he defended his record: “It’s been less than two years since I won a La Liga title and a Champions League.
They say Madrid is in ruins and chaos. How can there be chaos when it’s the most prestigious club in the world?”
Negreira case
Pérez also attacked Barcelona over the Negreira case, describing it as “the biggest scandal in history.”
He said Madrid will compile a 500‑page dossier to present to UEFA, accusing referees of corruption.
Barcelona responded later, saying their legal department is studying his words and will decide on next steps.
The press conference left many observers astonished. Instead of addressing Madrid’s sporting crisis, Pérez focused on defending himself against critics, denying health rumors, and calling elections.
