Riquelme attacks Perez. I want a debate… Are these reforms worth 1.7 billion?

Real Madrid’s presidential candidate Enrique Riquelme opened fire on Florentino Perez’s administration at the inauguration of his electoral headquarters in front of the Santiago Bernabeu stadium, criticizing the stadium’s development project and the treatment of club members.

In statements to Spanish newspaper AS, Riquelme said the reforms witnessed at the Bernabeu have not achieved what Real Madrid fans had hoped for, despite the huge spending which has reached 1.7 billion euros.

He added: “The seats are tighter and smaller and you have to leave the seat ten minutes before the end of the first half to buy a drink or a sandwich… These are the reforms after €1.7 billion.”

The club’s presidential candidate also stressed that Real Madrid members had become “the most neglected”, stressing that his election campaign would depend on restoring their respect through a project he described as “the biggest in the club’s 120-year history”.

Not only did Riquelme criticize the Bernabeu project, he also sent a direct message to Florentino Perez’s management regarding the club’s history, saying: “We respect the heritage, but it’s not just the seven European Cups that appear on some posters. There are eight more and they are part of Real Madrid’s history.”

During the election campaign, Riquelme demanded a direct debate with Florentino Perez, stressing that his project was “not against anyone, but rather for the benefit of Real Madrid”, as he described it.

He also hinted at a “strong and exciting” sporting project for the club’s fans, without yet revealing details, promising to announce “the biggest transformative project for members” next Wednesday.