Why Real Madrid fans are taking aim at Florentino Perez, and what might happen next
Perez, pictured at the Bernabeu on Saturday
“There was widespread anger and upset among Real Madrid supporters at the Bernabeu this weekend — and club president Florentino Perez was among those in their sights. Madrid fans arrived for Saturday’s home match with Levante keen to vent their fury, after a very dramatic week for the Spanish giants. Last Monday afternoon, Xabi Alonso was sacked as manager following the previous night’s Supercopa de Espana final defeat by Clasico rivals Barcelona in Saudi Arabia. His replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, then suffered a humiliating 3-2 defeat at second division Albacete in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, his first match in charge. …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)
Barcelona, Real Madrid and the €8.4m Negreira payments: A shadow over El Clasico
“It is almost three years since payments totalling €8.4million (£7.2m; $9.7m) made by Barcelona to former Spanish referees committee vice-president Jose Maria Enriquez Negreira first came to light. A Barcelona court has been investigating the payments sent between 2001 and 2018 to companies connected to Negreira, and the coming months may see the case move forward into a criminal trial, which could eventually bring jail time for those involved if they are found guilty. …”
NY Times/The Athletic (Video)
YouTube: Why did Barcelona pay the Head of Referees?