Pérez Calls Early Real Madrid Elections as Barcelona Reviews His Corruption Claims

Overview

• Florentino Pérez used a surprise Tuesday news conference at Valdebebas to call early board elections and said he will seek another term.
• He downplayed the reported Valverde–Tchouaméni fight, while Spanish reports say the clash involved punches, sent Valverde to a local hospital, and led to heavy club fines.
• Pérez said Real Madrid is preparing a dossier on past referee payments tied to Barcelona for UEFA, and Barcelona’s legal team said Wednesday it is weighing action over his claims.
• Spain’s sports press blasted the appearance, and an ABC journalist answered his remark about a female colleague that critics labeled sexist.
• As the election clock starts, potential rival Enrique Riquelme asked Thursday for a longer, more open process, highlighting rules that require a bank guarantee of about 15% of the club budget.