Real Madrid are gearing up for their most important game of the season as they take on Barcelona in the season’s first El Clasico this weekend.
Real Madrid will have an excellent opportunity to close the gap to Barça at the top by securing a win. But the club’s president Florentino Perez has already attracted headlines by opting to miss this game at Camp Nou.
In light of Perez’s decision, the Rela Madrid president has been a subject of criticism from former president Ramon Calderon.
Calderon takes aim at Perez
Speaking at the Barcelona Golf Club during the NACEX Challenge ahead of the match, Calderon was scathing about his successor’s decision to stay away from Sunday’s showpiece.
“This match is off to a bad start. The absence of my team’s president is bad news for the sport and for Real Madrid’s prestige,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).
“I think we’re not setting a good example for the fans in the stands if the club’s leaders don’t demonstrate a friendly relationship.”
Calderon has criticised Perez’s methods. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
The former president put the snub down to lingering resentment over the collapse of the Super League, in which Barcelona declined to continue.
“It has nothing to do with the sport. It feels like a personal tantrum, after Barcelona decided not to continue with the Super League project. There’s no other reason.
“That famous refereeing incident came up a year and nine months before the president said that Barcelona and Real Madrid should always be united and support each other,” he added.
Calderon further said, that “this Florentino Perez isn’t the one I remember from years ago.”
On the Negreira case and the victim mentality
Calderon was also critical of the club’s handling of the Negreira affair, urging patience until the courts deliver a verdict.
“As a lawyer, I’m used to the fact that when a matter is in the hands of the courts, in this case the ordinary and sports courts, one must be prudent and cautious. Wait and see what happens. When there’s a ruling, it will be time to give an opinion.
“This matter ended in 2018, eight years ago. How many more years are we going to keep talking about this?” he added.
He went on to insist that a club of Real Madrid’s stature only diminishes itself by fixating on officials.
“The directors would do well to stop talking about the referees. We all need to commit to forgetting about the referees, who made mistakes, make mistakes, and will make mistakes. It’s not good policy,” he said.
“I remember Di Stefano saying that a big club can’t complain about injuries, bad luck, and setbacks. I think complaining about referees is something a small team does.
Calderon is optimistic of Real Madrid’s chances against Barcelona. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
“Real Madrid is a club admired throughout the world and has a well-earned prestige; I’ve seen it firsthand. Talking about referees makes us seem like a less great team,” he added.
Calderon’s comments come against the backdrop of a recent video uploaded by the RMTV, in which the program clearly states that Barcelona players are the referees.
Calderon, though, is optimistic about the team’s prospects, buoyed by recent wins over Sevilla and RB Leipzig.
“Real Madrid has very good players and I’m convinced they’ll fight to win every title. They’re on the right track to do so. I don’t know if what happens on Sunday matters much.
“It will give morale to whoever wins, but there will still be 28 games and many points to play for. The season is very long. Real Madrid has a very competitive team and will be in a position to compete for every title,” he concluded.