Perez hits back in row with former Real chiefs
Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez has accused the previous Bernabeu regime of jealousy after coming under attack from former director Eduardo Pena Abizanda. "They criticise the work we have done to solve all the problems they created," he fumed.
Real Madrid chief Florentino Perez has accused the previous Bernabeu regime of jealousy after coming under attack from former director Eduardo Pena Abizanda. "They criticise the work we have done to solve all the problems they created," he fumed.
"Some people have still not recovered from the presidential defeat," he continued at the Assembly for the club's official partners. "But we are now in a position to say that, after 20 years, we have finally eliminated the club's debt."
"We have the full backing of the club's partners and it helps that we are set to continue in the same way and that we are going to forget certain attitudes that come from resentment."
"Those that lost the election must go through a period of adaptation and they (meaning Lorenzo Sanz, Juan Onieva and Pena Abizanda) appear not to have done so yet."
Abizanda earlier claimed the Perez regime had done a bad job since winning the presidential elections in July 2000, despite leading the club to the league title and the Champions' League semi-finals last season.
He and his supporters were in attendance for Perez's retort, although the Real chief claimed he was unaware of that fact. "I did not know they were there, but I would have said exactly the same thing anyway," he said.
Perez added that Roberto Carlos talks were ongoing with club over his demand to have his wages brought into line with the club's top earners, an episode that spilled on to the pitch on Saturday when the Brazilian gestured as he ran past the directors' box after scoring a goal.
"Roberto Carlos is truly a great professional," said Perez. "Any questions or problems that he has will be dealt with by sports director Jorge Valdano.
"I have always been calm and have never spoken with the slightest doubt that we are in for a great season," he added.
"I understand that the passion for football is lived minute-to-minute and that after the first games some people had doubts about the team, but I know that they mean nothing and that we are going to be challenging on all fronts."