An independent association of Spanish football fans has asked the court to “suspend the electoral process” for the presidency of Real Madrid.
Madrid club president Florentino Perez will seek re-election to a sixth term in 2025, having recently had his term extended in an unopposed 2021 election.
Perez, 77, was president of the Spanish giants for a total of 21 years, spread over two terms, from 2000 to 2006 and then since 2009.
However, the Federation of Shareholders and Partners of Spanish Football (FASFE) – an independent supporters’ network formed by associations of Spanish football supporters’ clubs – believes there are “serious irregularities” in Madrid’s electoral process.
FASFE alleges, in a lawsuit submitted to a judge this week, that Madrid’s current electoral rules allow the club to control which of the club’s 100,000 socios (members) are chosen to attend the assembly as ” voting delegates.
The legal complaint alleges that this contravenes the sports law which governs the management of “socio-owner” clubs in Spain and requests the suspension of the selection process of these delegates which begins this Sunday.
For the defense of the rights of our partner members of the #Real Madridgiven the serious irregularities presented by the elections called for the delegated members of the club, we asked the judge for a precautionary measure to suspend the electoral process (1/2)
– FASFE (@FASFEaficion) April 25, 2024
“To defend the rights of our social members of Real Madrid, given the serious irregularities presented by the elections demanded by the delegated members of the club, we asked the judge for a precautionary measure to suspend the electoral process,” read a press release from the FASFE .
“We demand that these elections benefit from all democratic guarantees and that all members, whether they support their club president or not, can run and participate on an equal footing in the electoral process.”
FASFE believes it is particularly important that potential critical voices within Madrid’s social base can be heard, as the club is considering changes to its statutes that could endanger its “fan ownership” model at the club. future.
Pérez said at last year’s assembly that he planned a new financial structure for the club, which could allow more outside investment, in order to compete with public clubs. He argued that this would not infringe on the members’ ownership of their club.
Perez, a construction magnate and former local politician, oversaw changes to the club’s bylaws during his tenure, tightening eligibility requirements to determine who can run for club president.
This follows a vote by members in 2012, which limits the field of potential candidates to those who have been Madrid socios for at least 20 years and must have sufficient personal assets to be able to obtain a bank guarantee of at least 15 percent of the price. the club’s budget.
Pérez has had no direct challenger for the Madrid presidency in the last three elections in 2013, 2017 or 2021.
Athleticism have contacted Madrid for comment.
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