Florentino Perez Vows to Call Elections at Real Madrid

Key Takeaways:

• Florentino Perez confirmed on Tuesday that he will seek re-election as Real Madrid president, declining to step down despite back-to-back trophyless seasons
• Real Madrid’s season ended without silverware following a 2-0 defeat by Barcelona on Sunday and a Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Bayern Munich
• Perez is preparing a 500-page dossier for UEFA, addressing allegations of corruption in Spanish refereeing, while also responding to internal club controversies and fan protests

Season Review: Disappointment on the Pitch

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez held a press conference on Tuesday to announce the launch of club elections, revealing his intention to campaign for another term. His declaration comes on the heels of a challenging period for Los Blancos, with the club guaranteed to end the campaign without a major trophy for the second consecutive year.

Madrid’s frustrations were compounded on Sunday when they suffered a 2-0 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the latest edition of the Clasico at Camp Nou. The result secured Barcelona back-to-back La Liga titles with three matches remaining.

Their Champions League campaign was brought to a close at the quarter-final stage, following defeat to Bayern Munich.

🚨🗣️ Florentino Perez again: “There’s a CAMPAIGN against me. I’m calling elections.” pic.twitter.com/RR75KLsVdf

— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) May 12, 2026

Change in Coaching and Squad Turmoil

With Alvaro Arbeloa taking charge in January after Xabi Alonso’s departure, Real Madrid’s fortunes did not improve. Reports indicate Arbeloa is unlikely to continue in his role beyond this season, with former manager Jose Mourinho being linked to a possible return.

Meanwhile, the atmosphere at the club has been tense, with fans voicing dissatisfaction towards star forward Kylian Mbappe, accusing him of lacking commitment. The season was also marred by reports of confrontations among players, including a training ground incident that resulted in midfielder Fede Valverde requiring hospital treatment.

An altercation between Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni culminated in both players receiving fines of 500,000 euros. Perez admitted his disappointment regarding both the event itself and the fact that details became public knowledge.

Perez Responds to Criticism and Prepares UEFA Dossier

Addressing the media, the 79-year-old Perez referenced sustained criticism and public pressure as he justified his decision to run for re-election. He described what he called an “absurd campaign” against Real Madrid, attributing it to media narratives and rival factions taking advantage of the club’s recent disappointments.

Perez stated: “I am not going to resign.” He added that he intends to “put an end to this anti-Madrid current that wants to destroy Real Madrid,” encouraging any rivals for the presidency to clearly state their intentions and plans, should they decide to stand in the upcoming elections.

He maintained confidence in Real Madrid’s stature, asserting: “They say out there that Real Madrid is a problem case, but it’s the most prestigious club in the world.”

Perez revealed that he and his associates are assembling a 500-page dossier to submit to UEFA concerning allegations of corruption in Spanish officiating. He labelled the controversy “the most serious case of corruption in football,” and lamented lost titles by contending: “I’ve only won seven Champions League titles and seven league titles, when I could have won 14 because the others were stolen from me.”

Barcelona Under Scrutiny

Perez’s comments coincide with an ongoing investigation by Spanish authorities into Barcelona. The probe concerns payments totalling seven million euros over several years to Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira, the former vice-president of Spain’s refereeing committee (CTA). Barcelona have denied all allegations of wrongdoing.