Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has denied reports today that Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos have demanded Jose Mourinho’s sacking in June.
Marca alleged this morning that the club’s captains had taken the opportunity of meeting with Perez and director general Jose Angel Sanchez recently to ask that they remove Mourinho in the summer, or see a number of first team players leave.
Perez called a Press conference to offer an official response to the claims and to take the chance to hit out at the Madrid-based publication.
“In light of the seriousness of this situation, I am breaking my rule of not speaking about the day-to-day activities of the club,” Perez delivered in a statement to the assembled media today.
“It is completely false that in the lunch I had with the club captains and the director general I was given an ultimatum about the coach, or anything of the sort.
“The only outcome of the lunch was that we approved the team bonuses for this season. The meeting took place in a magnificent atmosphere and the captains behaved responsibly.
“What has been published is not true in any way. I can accept criticism even if it is clearly unfair or if I don't agree with it. I can handle damaging comments. But there are ethical limits that need to be respected by everyone.
“No-one has called me, or anyone else who was present at this lunch, to check the veracity of this false story or get our response.
“This is very serious. I understand that someone's aim is for someone to leave the club, be it the Coach or the President, but I do not think it is ethical to peddle a lie to achieve that.
“This has happened on a number of occasions and today is the last time. I am here to make one thing clear. That story was simple a lie.
“I also want to remind you all that the unity of all the club's members and fans is what has made this club the best in the world and we are the only ones that can decide the future of the club.”
Perez declined to comment on other issues, including if he would make clear Jose Mourinho’s future.
“I reiterate that I have come solely to deny information that is false and is aimed as destabilising a 110-year-old institution that is the most prestigious in the world.
“There were four people at the meeting and you can ask them, but it is absolutely false and to publish it is a tremendous gravity.”
The Press again pushed for a comment on Mourinho’s future.
“I can repeat it again. I just came here for something very serious, to deny the information. Look, maybe I’m not making myself understood.
“I can answer anything you want. I have not spoken with Mourinho. I thought that news was of such gravity I decided to talk, but it is not my standard to discuss everyday things.”
