Florentino Perez’s boisterous call for a Real Madrid presidential election could well end up backfiring.
The 79-year-old two-time president called a last-minute press conference on May 12th where he announced elections in an effort to strengthen his position.
Perez defended his consecutive trophyless seasons and dressing room and coaching chaos that has dogged this campaign.
On top of that, he attacked the media throughout the one-hour show, and even his potential rivals.
One of them he called out for having a ‘South American accent’ and that individual, Enrique Riquelme, appears to have taken the call out seriously.
The Alicante-born green energy billionaire has to declare that he’ll run by May 23rd, and all signs are pointing to his participation.
In a recent interview at an event, the 39-year-old confirmed that the €187million guarantee needed to run is in no doubt at all.
Riquelme set to run for Real Madrid president
“Of course, I have the guarantee; otherwise, I wouldn’t be talking about this,” he said. “There will be news in two or three days.
“I understand your interest in knowing what will happen. We’re still working on it.
“We’ve been given very little time to organise something truly meaningful and worthwhile, something good for Real Madrid.
“We’re not going to waste time. We’ll decide in the coming days. And if we do go, it will be for something meaningful and exciting for the members for the next 10, 15, or 20 years.
“The idea is to work, to work three more days, and if we’re ready, we’ll go without a doubt.”
It’s reported that on top of the bank guarantee, Riquelme also ticks the requirement of 15% of the club’s budget (€1.2billion) in personal assets.
He has also been a club member for more than 20 years without interruption, and should be able to form a nine-member board where the vice-president has 15 years of membership, and the remaining members have 10.
Mourinho signing in trouble
Riquelme must now announce his candidacy before May 21st, triggering a June 7th election.
Should he not do so, Perez will be proclaimed re-elected on May 24th unopposed.
Yet if he isn’t, AS report that Jose Mourinho’s hiring could be scuppered.
To run against Riquelme, Perez would have to step down from his post, making him unable to sign Mourinho.
That would then leave the Portuguese waiting until June 7th to sign, or, if Perez loses, Riquelme may have other ideas in the dugout.
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