Real president rules out early election

Real Madrid's new president Fernando Martin has ruled out calling an early election at the club, arguing it could jeopardise the team's chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League.

"I carry on as Real Madrid president until the end of the season and then I will decide on the right moment to call an election," Martin was quoted as saying in sports daily Marca on Friday.

"We can't call an election now because if we do it will give our rivals an advantage. There are 12 games left this season and the election campaign would occupy at least six of those. It would almost certainly influence the morale of the team."
 
"Imagine what would happen if we then didn't even finish in the top four."

Martin, who was nominated by Florentino Perez after his shock decision to quit as Real president two weeks ago, said that instead of preparing for an election he would spend his time building a team for next season.

"I'm going to construct a team that is capable of winning every competition," he said. "I know what the problems are and I know how to solve them."

According to the club statutes, Martin can carry on as president until 2008, but certain sections of the Spanish media have been calling for an immediate election following Real's elimination from the Champions League by Arsenal.

Former director of football Arrigo Sacchi said that one of the causes of Real's failure to live up to expectations was Perez's desire to control every aspect of the club.

"If he had limited himself just to being the president, then Florentino Perez would have been one of the best presidents in the history of the game," the Italian told Marca.

"But he wanted to do too much and that was a mistake. He was not the only one to blame, but the president can try and be a player, coach, technical director and director of communications at the same time."