Barcelona Weigh Legal Action Against Real Madrid As Pérez Set For Election

Barcelona have confirmed their lawyers are reviewing allegations made by Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez after his extraordinary press conference sparked fresh tension between Spain’s fiercest rivals.

The statement followed Pérez’s hour-long address on Tuesday, staged just days after Real Madrid’s 2-0 defeat in the season’s final El Clásico.

The veteran chief attacked sections of the media, criticised La Liga and accused Barcelona of corruption, intensifying a turbulent end to the campaign.

In a swift response, Barcelona said its legal team was studying the claims.

The Catalan club briefly halted title celebrations to address the remarks linked to the Negreira case involving former refereeing official José María Enríquez Negreira of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

“Regarding the press conference held by the Real Madrid president, Florentino Pérez, we inform that our legal department are carefully examining his declarations and accusations,” Barcelona said in a club statement.

“They are currently being analyzed and the steps to be taken are being assessed. When considered opportune, any positions and decisions that have been adopted will be notified.”

The clash adds another chapter to the rivalry between presidents Joan Laporta and Florentino Pérez, already heightened by a season of controversy on and off the pitch.

Pérez also dismissed speculation that he might step down at Real Madrid, announcing fresh elections and confirming he will seek another term after a trophyless season.

“I am not going to resign,” the 79-year-old Perez told a press conference towards the end of a season which Real Madrid will finish trophyless.

“I have asked the board to initiate the process to call elections, and this board is going to present itself. Why I am calling an election. I have worked since 2000 for the club to be owned by the members. I have taken a decision because there has been an absurd campaign against Real Madrid and against me.

“We assume that we don’t have the best results. But they take the opportunity to attack me personally. Where is Florentino, they say. Some people have said that I have a terminal cancer. But I take this opportunity to let the people who have been worried about me know that I am still president of Real Madrid and of another company that has a turnover of 50 billion euros a year.

“My health is perfect. If I had cancer, as has been said, I would have to go to an oncology centre, wouldn’t I?”