Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is set to face fierce competition in the recently announced election, with Enrique Riquelme ready to take on the veteran leader.
The Spanish businessman will officially communicate his candidacy to Real Madrid’s Electoral Board this Thursday, with a clear and pointed message at the centre of his campaign.
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Riquelme is building a star team
Enrique Riquelme is ready to take on Florentino Perez. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
According to El Confidencial, Riquelme has assembled a team of corporate heavyweights to take on Perez.
Sons of Vicente Boluda and Fernando Fernandez Tapias are involved, alongside investor Rosauro Varo, raw materials magnate Damaso Quintana and Iberdrola’s David Mesonero, who happens to be the son-in-law of Perez’s fiercest business rival.
Angel Martin, a close friend of Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, is also expected to feature prominently, potentially as vice-president.
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Riquelme must also secure a pre-guarantee of €194 million to formalise his candidacy.
Privatisation is the battleground
Riquelme believes Perez will privatise Real Madrid. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
Riquelme’s decision to stand is driven primarily by his opposition to what he believes is an inevitable push towards privatising Real Madrid.
“These could be the last elections in Real Madrid’s history. Privatisation is coming. We believe we are not in agreement with that privatisation. The club has to belong to its members,” he stated.
This was the tone in which he had the campaign, built around ownership, transparency and democratic accountability.
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He also framed standing as a moral obligation for those with the means to do so.
“There is a moral and ethical obligation for Real Madrid members who are lucky enough to be able to take a step forward and put forward something that could make sense and be exciting,” he added.
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