Before his unexpected speech, Florentino Pérez was at the heart of many rumors. Some said he had resigned, others said he was ill. In the end, it was a Pérez who was more combative than ever, even too much, who appeared before the media to announce, among other things, that new presidential elections were going to be held. “I regret to inform you that I will not resign. I have asked the electoral commission to initiate the process of board elections, for which this board will run. I am running for office because some groups have tried to take control of the club and claim that Real Madrid is in chaos.”.
A potential adversary identified…
Clearly, the boss of Casa Banca, who was re-elected last year until 2029, sent the following message: “if you like to criticize me, then come and fight me at the polls and I will bow. » A blow that could be interpreted as a punchy reaction from a real leader. Pérez also mentioned a supposed opponent without ever mentioning his name. “I’m organizing them this year so that there are candidates. Let this gentleman who talks with the electricity companies and who has a South American accent introduce himself. A Mexican accent. Those who say that we are very bad, that we are a dictatorship. Let this gentleman we are talking about introduce himself, as well as all those who wish to do so..
For Marcathe man Pérez is referring to is Enrique Riquelme Vives, current president and CEO of Cox Energy, a Spanish company specializing in photovoltaics. At only 37 years old Riquelme Vives is one of the most influential Latin American entrepreneurs in the fight against climate change and he distinguished himself in 2021 by suggesting that at the time he was considering running against Florentino Pérez. In vain. Is Riquelme Vives still a threat to Pérez? If there is no question here of calling into question the XXL achievement of Florentino Pérez at Real Madrid, it is clear that the boss of Casa Blanca does not seem to be taking a big risk, even at 79 years old, by putting his chair as president back on the line.
…who must have been a social worker for 20 years and take €187 million out of his pocket
To realize this, just take a look at the criteria required to be a candidate for the presidency, with a first major obstacle for any novice. You must therefore be of Spanish nationality. Be of legal age and have full legal capacity. Be in compliance with your social obligations. Be a member of the club for at least 20 years without interruption for the president, 15 years for the vice-presidents and 10 years for the other positions. Not be subject to a sanction preventing them from exercising managerial functions. Not hold a managerial position in other football clubs, nor be active as a player, referee, coach or technician of these clubs at the time of the proclamation of their candidacy. Provide, in due time, a bank guarantee according to the terms, conditions and amount established by Law 10/1990 and other applicable provisions, and in accordance with the requirements provided for in points 3 and 4 of section C of this article. And that’s not all.
In addition to having to prove their social status for 20 years without interruption, the potential future candidate will also have to provide an XXL bank guarantee. Indeed, each application must provide: the designation of at least the president and a number of members which cannot be less than nine. Be signed by the candidates, whose signature must be certified, and include a formal declaration of acceptance of the proposal. Be accompanied by a bank pre-guarantee from any credit institution, bank or savings bank registered in the register of establishments of the Bank of Spain, guaranteeing at least fifteen percent (15%) of the club’s general expenditure budget and the text of which will stipulate that it will automatically become a definitive guarantee in the event that, during the electoral procedure currently in progress, this candidacy for the presidency and board of directors of the Real Madrid Football Club was elected and once the candidate for the presidency of the Real Madrid Club of Football would take office. In this guarantee, the credit institution, bank or savings bank which issues it must indicate that it was granted taking into account the personal assets of the candidates, and with the sole and sole guarantee being the personal assets of said candidates for the board of directors. And for those who have difficulty getting an idea of what the amount represents, candidates are simply asked to guarantee 15% of Real Madrid’s budget (1.28 billion euros), or €187 million. In other words, having a bank account that eliminates a lot of potential candidates for the throne.
