Florentino Perez has directed a veiled comment towards Iker Casillas’ partner for comments made last season during Jose Mourinho’s reign.
On from reports during a difficult final season with the Portuguese, which suggested that Casillas and Sergio Ramos had demanded Mourinho leave in the summer, the goalkeeper’s girlfriend, a television presenter, fuelled rumours of discontent.
Appearing on Mexican television soon after, Sara Carbonero spoke of ‘divide’ in the dressing room at the Santiago Bernabeu and how it was ‘an open secret’ that the players did not get along with Mourinho.
Speaking to club partners this week in the build-up to Sunday’s members’ assembly, Perez reflected on the issue, as Casillas continues to remain on the sidelines in the League.
“Iker is the captain and sometimes he does not help us, because sometimes those close to us make mistakes,” Perez is quoted by AS as saying.
“There were the four of us having lunch [Perez, Jose Angel Sanchez, Casillas and Ramos] and we agreed on the bonus structure and a newspaper came out with this story that was untrue.
“The ultimatum from the captains about Mourinho was not said, I do not know if they thought that, but they know that there are red lines that cannot be crossed.”
Perez also commented on Mesut Ozil’s exit from the club again and continued along the same lines as earlier words this week.
“At Madrid a player under contract only leaves if he wants to go. With Ozil it came more from his inner circle.
“We asked the coaching team and they said he could leave. It’s fundamental to cope with the pressure here.
“I could give you a long list of players who have left because they can’t cope with the pressure.”
Ricky Kaka also left, returning to Milan on a free after four indifferent seasons in the Spanish capital.
“He has helped us a lot with Adidas.”
Perez also commented on his management of the club and continued signing of high profile players at great cost.
“We are like Ferrari, who sign the best drivers but don’t always win. Our structure is not a book, it is unique and allows us to sign the best players.”
Madrid and Barcelona are reportedly under investigation from the European Union for alleged tax advantages.
“The only tax advantage we have is that we pay 25 per cent corporation tax instead of 30. For other clubs, they are lucky that we are not a corporation [with SAD status] as we would have more money and there would be a greater disparity.
“In America this summer, we had an offer for 20 per cent and if we had done it then we would have a budget of €740m. If in the end we are forced to become a corporation, for nothing, each partner would have stock.”
