In a speech lasting one hour and 18 minutes, met with resounding applause from shareholders and club members, Perez launched an unprecedented attack on La Liga, its president Javier Tebas, UEFA, Barcelona in the Negreira scandal, and the Spanish refereeing system. The 78-year-old Real Madrid leader has often criticized these organizations in General Assembly meetings, but never with such intensity.

A year ago, also at a Real Madrid General Assembly meeting, Perez called for calm from club members after Barcelona's payments of millions of US dollars to Spanish referee officials for technical reports were exposed. At that time, he stated, "I will not be angry with Barcelona; Real Madrid and Barcelona need to support each other."

Perez at the Real Madrid General Assembly meeting on 23/11/2025. *Photo: EP*

Now, Perez's tone has changed. No longer maintaining his usual cordiality, the Real Madrid president sharply criticized Barcelona over the scandal, which remains under investigation. "It is not normal at all that Barcelona paid Enriquez Negreira, the vice president of the Spanish referee committee, over 9 million USD for at least 17 years, regardless of the reason," Perez reiterated twice for emphasis. "I repeat, whatever the reason, this is not normal at all."

Perez also alleged that Negreira held a key position in referee management, responsible for promotions and relegations of referees. "Coincidentally, that was also the period when Barcelona achieved its best sporting results in the domestic league," the leader, born in 1947, concluded.

Perez's speech to shareholders and members included several charts, featuring a comparison between Real Madrid and Barcelona regarding red cards in La Liga. "In this 21st century, Real Madrid's red card balance in La Liga is -2, meaning our players have been sent off more often than our opponents," Perez revealed.

"Conversely, for Barcelona, it is +61 red cards. The difference is significant. During the same period, the red card balance for both clubs was nearly equal in European competitions: +12 for Barcelona and +13 for Real Madrid. For comparison, Bayern Munich and Dortmund have similar red card balances in Germany and European cups. Barcelona's red card balance during the Negreira period is +49, and Real Madrid's is -1. You can draw your own conclusions," emphasized Real Madrid's president for the past 16 years.

Perez further extended his critique to the general standard of Spanish referees. "The standard of Spanish refereeing is not normal at all; it is embarrassing that out of 35 Spanish referees, FIFA selected none," he criticized before revisiting Barcelona's Negreira case. "Real Madrid is the only party participating in the trial; four Barcelona presidents maintained payments of millions of US dollars for 17 years to the vice president of the referee committee. The current chairman of this committee, Fran Soto, hopes the matter will close and turn a new page. But how can we forget this, when most of the referees from the Negreira case are still in their positions?"

Perez then hinted that Real Madrid players consistently face disadvantages in domestic competitions, unlike in international arenas: "Do you find it normal that many of our players have more Champions League titles than La Liga titles? Dani Carvajal is an example; he has six Champions League trophies but only four La Liga titles. And the player with the most only has five La Liga titles. Most still have four. Is that normal? Not at all."

The relationship between Real Madrid and Barcelona was once described by Spanish media as "allies" in the Super League project and in opposing the CVC investment package (selling 10% of clubs' television rights) initiated by La Liga. However, Barcelona gradually withdrew and has now shifted its stance to reconcile with La Liga president Javier Tebas.

"Many clubs have realized that losing a portion of revenue for 50 years will harm their future," Perez began, implying Barcelona's shift to secure a better relationship with La Liga. "We hope this agreement will be overturned in court. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Athletic Bilbao have filed lawsuits. I regret that Barcelona initially joined the dissenting group but then withdrew, and coincidentally, during that period, La Liga allowed them to register players."

Perez stands in Real Madrid's trophy room, where he contributed to most of the titles. *Photo: EP*

The current strained relationship between Real Madrid and Barcelona also involves the Catalan club's support for La Liga's initiative to organize a match abroad, specifically a game between Villarreal and Barcelona in Miami, US. However, this idea faced strong opposition from the Spanish players' association and was ultimately canceled.

"It is not normal at all that the La Liga president wants to force us to play a match in Miami; even Barcelona captain Frankie De Jong found it abnormal and objected," Perez repeatedly used the phrase "not normal." "And it is not normal for La Liga to entice Villarreal and Barcelona, promising to help these two clubs receive additional economic funds from the match in the US. This is a failed project; it did not even receive support from UEFA."

Perez declared that Real Madrid will continue to oppose La Liga and Tebas. "I want to make some additional comments. Now is the time to clarify the responsibilities of the parties involved. The La Liga president acted according to his subjective will and will be held accountable. Faced with player opposition to that failed idea, his La Liga censored and covered up the truth," he said, referring to how La Liga match broadcasts did not show scenes of players stopping play for the first 20 seconds to protest, instead cutting to outside the stadium.

UEFA also did not escape Perez's attack, as Real Madrid's lawsuit demanding compensation from the organization regarding the Super League project continues. "Real Madrid is not against everyone; we only oppose what is illegal or unethical," he explained. "UEFA acted abnormally and illegally by trying to prevent clubs from forming their own leagues. UEFA wants to control the fate of clubs and force us to play in league formats that are increasingly harmful to fans."

"No one can punish clubs. We have two rights: the right to compensation for billions of US dollars in damages and the right to organize our own league, and I assure you we will pursue both. UEFA leaders will be accountable to their voters. Now, we are forced to play Champions League matches in Asia or near China. It is not normal at all that in the 21st century, people have to watch football at increasingly expensive prices."

Perez has led Real Madrid in two periods: 2000-2006 and 2009 to present. Under his leadership, the Bernabeu team has won 65 titles, including 37 from football and 28 from basketball. Most notably are seven European football championships (Champions League) and three European basketball championships (Euro League).

Additionally, Perez has made his mark by building "Galacticos" for Real Madrid. In his first tenure, he brought in top stars such as Luis Figo, Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo De Lima, Michael Owen, and David Beckham. In his second period, Perez continued to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Gareth Bale, and Kylian Mbappe.

Perez's power and credibility are further demonstrated by the fact that he only faced elections for Real Madrid's top leadership position two times, in 2000 and 2004. Both times he defeated former president Lorenzo Sanz. In the remaining five elections in 2009, 2013, 2017, 2021, and 2025, no opponent dared to compete against him.

Hoang Thong compiled