Calderon provisional president only, says Real rival

Real Madrid's electoral commission have recognised that president Ramon Calderon only holds the position on a provisional basis pending a decision on the validity of the postal vote, rival candidate Juan Miguel Villar Mir said on Saturday.

Two days before Real's July 2 presidential election a judge backed complaints from two candidates that the postal vote should be temporarily suspended due to the lack of controls in place to guarantee their legitimacy.

Calderon was named president of the nine-times European champions on July 3 after edging a victory, beating Juan Palacios by 246 votes and third-placed Villar Mir by 1,642.

Palacios has formally recognised Calderon as president and withdrawn from contention but Villar Mir is fighting to have the postal vote included, though he has said he will respect all decisions made by the board in the meantime.

Up to 10,000 postal votes are reported to have been excluded from the count though it is unclear how many of these can be validated, or classed as redundant after the voter went to vote in person instead.

Spanish media have reported that it could take up to eight months before a final decision is reached.