Real Madrid president Florentino held a press conference. The following is the relevant report of this press conference.
Florentino's speech
Will not resign
Florentino said: "Thank you very much for being here. I regret to inform you that I will not resign. I will start the election process. Now the outside world is creating an absurd situation targeting Real Madrid and myself. The team cannot always win, but we cannot accept this situation. Some people are taking this opportunity to attack me. Some people will say 'Where has Florentino gone?' If I don't come out and speak, people will say I am sick, or even that I have terminal cancer."
"I would also like to take this opportunity to tell those who care about me that I am still the president of the club, and I am still managing my own company, which has an annual turnover of 50 billion euros. My physical condition is very good. If I really had cancer, I should go to the oncology center for treatment, and this would have spread all over the world long ago. That's not the case, but the rumor is getting more and more outrageous."
Florentino said: "How can you write this?" Then, he showed an article about the Real Madrid crisis at the press conference and named a reporter from ABC to ask questions.
Florentino said: "I am the one who wants to win all the championships the most. During my tenure as president, the Real Madrid football team has won 37 championships, and the basketball team has won 29 championships. I want to talk about those who have been creating momentum behind the scenes. I welcome all those who want to participate in the election to stand up. I will also participate in this election to defend the interests of Real Madrid members. They can't scare me, but will make me more motivated."
"Some forces have always wanted to control Real Madrid, but they have not succeeded. In Real Madrid, the decision-makers are not reporters, nor are they the people around them. Everyone doesn't believe them, everyone believes in me. Some reporters think they are important and think they can influence the club's decisions, but that's not the case. The decision-makers here are the members. Don't do those little tricks. Whoever wants to participate in the election, stand up and participate. But don't say behind my back that I am tired. I can't accept this statement just because we didn't win La Liga and the Champions League this year. They say that Real Madrid is in chaos now, but Real Madrid is still the most prestigious club in the world."
Talking about the Negreira case
"The Negreira case is a case of sports corruption, and it has not been completely resolved until now. Some of the referees from that period are still officiating. We will submit a document to UEFA to let them end this situation.
Three years ago, we learned about the Negreira case. This is the biggest scandal in history. They have been paying for 20 consecutive years, and more importantly, in the third decade, the referees who are officiating are still the same group. We will submit an important document to UEFA, hoping that they can solve this matter from the root, and handle this case well for the benefit of world football."
Florentino then talked about his achievements during his tenure.
Florentino said: "This is the club with the most honors in the history of the world. According to Forbes, Real Madrid is the most valuable club and the most valuable brand. Why do those reporters want to intervene in a club that is the most prestigious and has the most fans in the world? This is everyone's asset. I'm embarrassed to say that they rated me as the best president in history. According to Transfermarkt data, we have the highest-valued squad. We have everything."
Subsequently, Florentino criticized Vocento, ABC and Relevo.
Florentino said: "ABC belongs to Vocento. They founded Relevo, you know what's going on, right? They cooperated with La Liga to create a digital newspaper. Simply put, this media lost 25 million euros during its existence. Later, La Liga stopped paying, and they went to Telefónica and Telecinco to see if they were willing to pay. Their only purpose is to attack Real Madrid and the Real Madrid president."
"This makes me very regretful, because my father used to read ABC, and he subscribed to this newspaper for me many years ago. But now I have decided to cancel my ABC subscription, this is to commemorate my father, he will thank me. How could ABC do this kind of thing? No one wants to buy them, no one buys them, and they are still creating a division there. So I now announce that I will cancel my ABC subscription. Canceling the subscription is a better way for me to commemorate my father."
Subsequently, Florentino had an argument with ABC reporter Rubén Cañizares.
Florentino said: "Look at the two articles they wrote today, one of which was written by a woman, I don't know if she understands football at all."
After that, Florentino had another argument with Rubén Cañizares, and the two engaged in a heated verbal exchange.
Florentino said: "I don't understand the Spanish media. They have been making a fuss about 'see if I will leave'. I will not leave, I will be the last member to leave. The owner of Real Madrid is the member. Whoever wants to participate in the election, don't test the waters there, stand up and participate directly, and make it clear where the money comes from. Don't ask the bank whether the chairman of an electricity company can guarantee the candidacy.
In 2000, in order to allow the club to pay wages, I guaranteed 174 million pesetas. At that time, the club couldn't even pay the players' salaries. The players didn't get the money. As soon as I took office, Bodo Illgner's wife came to me for money. Roberto Carlos was also here, and he was also... I could only take out that money with my personal assets. Now Real Madrid's financial situation is very healthy.
Some people say that the stadium renovation started at 600 million euros and ended up at 1.3 billion euros, which is not true. 600 million euros was the amount of the first roof contract, and then we did the underground lawn storage system and stadium decoration. I want to end the anti-Real Madrid atmosphere that has formed in that newspaper. I started the election to protect the interests of the members. Some people want to take Real Madrid into their own hands from the media level, and some from other levels. I have been here for 26 years, and I will not let this happen."
Florentino said: "I am participating in the election because some forces have always wanted to take over the club, and they also say that Real Madrid is in chaos. There are also those extreme fans, they will never come back. After we drove them away, the whole world congratulated me, because we drove the violent people out of Real Madrid. I have the support of the members. There are also those scalpers, we have expelled 1,600 members this year."
Florentino said: "Of course, there is also our long-time enemy - La Liga. We will continue to fight. I will fight with everyone. The Negreira case is systemic corruption... How can you say forget about it? We are preparing a 500-page document, and I will submit it to UEFA after the game. I have already talked to them. There has never been such a precedent in the history of world football, this is the biggest corruption case in history."
Florentino said: "Regarding the European Super League, we have already won in the EU Court of Justice, and we are now negotiating with UEFA. We hope that football can be watched for free, so that children in Africa can also watch football for free, just like the Club World Cup. This is not just for Real Madrid, but also for the development of football. UEFA has realized this, and we are promoting a very good process."
Florentino criticized ABC again.
Florentino said: "Don't expect me to sit idly by, and don't think that I am tired as ABC said. ABC is a Madrid newspaper, and Real Madrid is a world-class club. I am using ABC as an example because this matter makes me very angry, but I would say the same if it were other media."
At this time, ABC reporter Rubén Cañizares became emotional and interrupted Florentino.
Florentino said: "I manage a company that is very important worldwide, with an annual turnover of 50 billion euros and 170,000 employees. Why is ABC doing this? Did you see me tired on the scene just now?"
"From tomorrow, I will fight with all the members, and we cannot let others take away the club that belongs to us. Where did the rumor that I have cancer come from? I don't even know it myself... If they want me to leave, then let others stand up and participate in the election like now, and then defeat me in the election. If he can win, then thank God. Real Madrid belongs to the members, not to those few reporters who are huddled together. I guess they are probably Atlético Madrid fans."
(So far, Florentino's speech is over, and the following is the Q&A session)
Talking about the next signings or coaching candidates
Florentino said: "I will not talk about coaches, nor will I talk about players. I am here today to return the assets of Real Madrid to the members. Now someone is taking it away from the members. They want me to leave, but I will not leave, I will participate in the election, because I want to defend one point: Real Madrid must continue to belong to the members. I will not talk about competitive matters. Some reporters want to destroy the ownership structure of Real Madrid. Those who want to participate in the election must understand that now is their chance, but don't talk behind their backs. I have heard all kinds of statements."
Talking about Mourinho
Florentino said: "I didn't expect you to ask this. Now is not the time to talk about this. What we need to solve now is to let Real Madrid continue to belong to the members, because someone wants to take it away from the members. I want to discuss with them, and I also hope that they will stand up and participate in the election. I want to ask them, what have they done for Real Madrid in their lives. I must end this absurd action against Real Madrid. Real Madrid has never been as glorious as it is now. Some people have rated me as the best president in the history of the club, or even the best president in the history of all clubs, I am embarrassed to say it myself. We are not talking about football today."
Talking about the analysis of the competitive level
Florentino said: "There will be. We have to fight against many people, a lot of people. If you are a reporter from Cadena COPE, then tell Castaño that, he is saying it every day, every hour... He should have more respect for the best club in history."
Pointing the finger at the media again
Florentino said: "Onda Cero? Please go and chat with Segurola... I have one in every media outlet."
Arguing with Cañizares again
Florentino said: "The real problem is not you, but that person from Relevo, who made you lose 25 million euros. We have been asking La Liga how much money they spent to attack Real Madrid. Real Madrid is the greatest club, I want to let children all over the world watch Real Madrid for free, and I will do it soon."
Talking about the Negreira case
Florentino said: "Real Madrid members are on my side, supporting me in fighting against Negreira and other things. Not only Real Madrid is the victim, but also other teams. Barça has always been the beneficiary. UEFA will intervene in this matter, they will definitely intervene. This matter cannot be kept under the suspicion of 20 years of paid corruption. Next, it depends on how the criminal level handles it, and also on how UEFA handles it on the competitive level. We'll see. UEFA has agreed to let us submit complete materials. I am not here to let the referee make money with Barça's money, I am here to fight."
Being asked again whether he would conduct a competitive analysis
Florentino said: "No, no. After we win the election soon, I will give you an analysis. Today's speech is to protest against these things that happened between the media and Real Madrid."
Talking about the fact that there were no candidates in the recent elections
Florentino said: "I started the election this year to let the candidates stand up. That person who talked to the electricity company and speaks with a South American accent, let him come out to participate in the election. It's a Mexican accent. They say we are terrible, they say we are a dictatorship. Then let this person we are talking about come out to participate in the election, all those who want to participate in the election can come out.
We will celebrate when we win the La Liga title, but the main character on the competitive level is not me. I don't usually talk much, and it's the same in my company. I have to speak at the shareholders' meeting, and that's it. The club is the most important thing. Why do they say I disappeared? Just because we got second in the league? The main characters are the players. Two years ago we won La Liga and the Champions League. Do you think this public opinion offensive is normal now? I must stand up to defend Real Madrid, and I want to make it clear: we will start the election and participate in the election, this is to defend the interests of the members, not for the interests of reporters and some other people. I invite them all to come out to participate in the election."
Talking about "This is not the first time that two players have clashed, nor is it the first time that a coach has been fired"
Florentino said: "I even fired three coaches in one year, this is not the first time this has happened. It's also not the first time that two players have fought, players will have conflicts every season, because they will all compete with each other. The problem this year is that this is the first time this has been said, and we know who said it. But no one has won 7 Champions Leagues, no one has done it."
Talking about the election
Florentino said: "Don't you read the newspapers every day? This is an organized action by bad reporters against Real Madrid. In 15 days, or around that time, we will start the election. Those reports are too bad and too unfair. They even created a media outlet! Relevo lost 25 million euros. They wanted to attack Real Madrid, but they just lost money."
Talking about the conflict between Valverde and Tchouameni
Florentino said: "I think this is very bad, but what's worse is that someone exposed it. I have been at Real Madrid for 26 years, and there has not been a year without two players fighting... maybe even four people. But I think the worst thing is that this matter was spread from home. In my 26 years, players have had conflicts every year. Young people are like that, you kick him, he kicks you back, and the next day they are friends again.
For me, the leak is worse, because it shows that the problem is not just that conflict. The conflict itself passed the next day, they became friends again, and they would go for coffee together. I think this is the first time I have seen this situation in my 26 years at Real Madrid, and it also worries me."
Talking about his previous statement that he "wants to help Barça"
Florentino said: "That was said long before the Negreira case. We only learned about this recently, and we couldn't have imagined it before that the head of referees would receive money from Barça for 20 consecutive years. This matter was exposed too late. Since then, we have been preparing materials, and we will pursue it to the end. This is the biggest corruption case in the history of football, and it is also for the sake of football itself. No one in the world would think of giving money to the referee, it is unimaginable."
Talking about the fact that players often have conflicts
Florentino said: "The media should analyze the matter itself, but they cannot say that Real Madrid is in chaos just because two players have a conflict. Players will have friction every year, you can even say every day, but the matter ends there. If someone inside the club spreads this kind of thing, it is more serious than their quarrel. By the way, they are both very good lads and very good players. Some people say that this is terrible, that it will destroy Real Madrid, that it cannot be tolerated... but I have seen it for more than 20 years, and there has been no problem.
I can stay here all afternoon, I am having a great time chatting now. Let that girl ask questions, all of you are too ugly."
Talking about the Negreira case
Florentino said: "We didn't win anything this season. I have been here for so many seasons, and I have only won 7 Champions Leagues and 7 La Liga titles. There could have been 14 La Liga titles, because some of the championships were stolen. We have made a video listing the 18 points that were taken away this season. I cannot remain silent in the face of these things. I don't want others to praise me every day, but I can no longer accept this collusion between some people from Cadena SER and others from Cadena COPE."
Subsequently, Florentino continued to lead the questioning at the press conference
Florentino said: "At that time, the players couldn't get their salaries, and even the people responsible for the wastepaper baskets in the corners couldn't get their money. I don't want others to praise me every day, but this collusion between the media..."
Talking about whether this is the angriest he has ever been
Florentino said: "I have been watching what these media are doing, those Segurola, Relaño, they think they invented football. We call them 'establishment intellectuals'. We are the best team in the world, why should I endure them saying that Real Madrid is in chaos? Whoever wants to participate in the election, stand up and participate. I have enough money to be the president of the club, and I don't need to do those messy things.
I want to hand over the assets of Real Madrid to the members. If Real Madrid is worth 100 billion euros, then each person will get 100,000 euros. I came here to make the members the masters of the club on the economic level. I will not leave until I have done this. It is the members who vote for me, not the reporters, nor the extreme fans in the south stand."
Talking about the issues that members are most worried about
Florentino said: "The most worried thing is losing ownership of the club. If five reporters discuss it and say that Real Madrid is in chaos, and I don't come out to defend it, then there will be problems. I don't want to take money from Real Madrid, nor do I pursue benefits or presence. I have always lived a low-key life. I also know that I have not defended Real Madrid enough, only 66 championships... I will try to do better."
Talking about the members
Florentino said: "I also have a lot of self-criticism about the members. Real Madrid members should not criticize their players, nor should they boo them, but should support them. But there are also bad people inside, we have already identified these people since we drove away the extreme fans in the south stand. There are also those scalpers. We are cooperating with the police to control those extreme fans, they will not enter the stadium again. The whole world is congratulating me because the extreme fans cannot enter the stadium. They want to drive us away. I feel very sad to see the players being booed for one mistake. The fans should help them on the field. What is this? The Roman Colosseum?"
Talking about boos at home
Florentino said: "If Real Madrid doesn't play well, the fans can boo if they want to. But now there is a force pushing this, letting those who are angry because the team doesn't play well boo their own players. Those are our players, booing them is like booing your own children. These people have been influenced by the extreme fans, and also by this 'Operation Amber', they are hyping up the game on Thursday in advance, so let them shout 'Florentino resign'. Then come and participate in this election and compete with me head-on, they have never competed with me head-on. Everything I do is for Real Madrid. I must protect Real Madrid, this is what my father taught me since I was a child. They have to shoot me to drive me away."
"I don't want to say what they used to do to Real Madrid players and what demands they made. Reporters think they have great power, but they have no power at all, because everyone is very smart. José María García used to cause a lot of damage. Later, someone took his place, thinking that attacking Real Madrid could make himself more important. They have to shoot me to drive me away, because I have the support of all Real Madrid members."
"What will other clubs think? What happened to Atlético Madrid? Why don't they attack Atlético Madrid? No club in history can compare with Real Madrid. Do they want us to win 10-0 every day? We will do it, you don't have to worry."
Finally, Florentino ended his speech.
Florentino said: "Thank you very much. If they continue to attack Real Madrid, I will come here again and say what I think in the way I think is most appropriate, but all of this is to protect the members. Those 'establishment intellectuals', or those 'people of May 1968', let them continue to talk about Real Madrid... Thank you everyone. I don't mind coming again in the future, maybe this kind of exchange is really necessary. Those enemies of Real Madrid in the media have been marked out. As long as the members don't want me to leave, Florentino will not leave."