Riquelme Fires Back at Florentino's Accusations, Renews Call for Public Debate

Real Madrid presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme has sharply responded to accusations made by Florentino Pérez yesterday. The incumbent "Los Blancos" boss launched his campaign, directly linking Riquelme and his team to the era of former president Ramón Calderón, while also questioning the financial stability of his younger rival.

In response, the 37-year-old energy businessman issued a strong statement to Florentino Pérez: "Real Madrid deserves much more than noise, lies, deliberate rumors, and smear campaigns between Madridistas who share the same love for the club and who should never be used to limit democracy within Real Madrid.

In recent hours, we have sadly observed how Mr. Florentino Pérez and those in his closest circle have chosen personal attacks and tension, instead of fostering a calm, elegant, and dignified debate befitting the world's greatest sports institution."

In the statement, Riquelme insists that Florentino Pérez yesterday disseminated information about a financial operation involving the energy businessman that is "completely and unequivocally false, referencing publications for which the media outlet itself has already apologized."

Candidate Riquelme sharply criticized Florentino's behavior in his recent public appearances: "Once again, and for the third time in public statements, Florentino Pérez's attitude and demeanor are unacceptable, questioning the integrity and legitimacy of our candidacy, despite it being declared valid by the Electoral Commission in accordance with the club's Statutes and Electoral Regulations.

Any insinuations about related parties should be explained by Florentino Pérez himself after 20 years in power, including a detailed explanation of the involvement of his relatives and friends in the club's management and intermediary activities."

He then adds that "during the period Florentino Pérez mentions regarding Ramón Calderón, Enrique Riquelme was only 15 years old." "It is false that questioning the current president's decisions is an 'attack on Real Madrid': this is a democratic and statutory right that strengthens the institution and returns the voice to the members, the true owners of the club."

Riquelme again questioned Florentino's stance on the "Negreira case" and once more attacked the figure of Anas Laghrari, considered Pérez's right-hand man: "It is unacceptable to silence or ridicule members' doubts about the club's business and the relationships of certain members of the presidential entourage, such as Mr. Anas Laghrari, whose influence in strategic operations and with questionable economic intermediations related to Real Madrid and Barcelona's 'levers' demands full transparency and clear explanations to the club's members."

The candidate's statement concludes with a renewed invitation to Florentino for a public debate: "For all these reasons, we once again formally invite Mr. Pérez to a public, open, and televised debate where both candidates can answer questions and present opposing ideas with transparency regarding the club's model, projects, and the shadows surrounding the actions of some of his team and their influence within Real Madrid's business dealings."