After the humiliating defeat to Barcelona during the weekend, Real Madrid CF president Florentino Perez called a press conference yesterday in which he announced his backing of present coach Rafa Benitez and also acknowledged that there was a campaign against him.
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Real were beaten 4-0 by bitter rivals Barcelona in the El Clasico on Saturday and calls from Los Blancos fans for a change in coach and club president have intensified. Florentino Perez, who has been a much maligned figure at the head of the club, called a press conference mid week to announce his support for present manager Rafa Benitez and also his refusal to give in to any campaign against him.
According to Spanish paper Marca, when journalists at the press conference asked if there was a campaign against him, he did not hesitate in telling them, ” A campaign against me is what I think, what you believe and all who are here know.”
Regarding the whistles and shouts at the Bernabeu calling for his resignation he said that “I have respect for every manifestation of the club, the members and the fans . We know it is a very demanding hobby .”
“I understand that any journalist wants to destabilize us ,” he added. “Some people want to destabilize me and Real Madrid. I cannot consent and, indeed, I will not consent from now .”
Fans Want Perez Out
The Real Madrid fans are very vocal about their displeasure at the club as they showed during the El Clasico when they waved white handkerchiefs at the Santiago Bernabeu, and the Madridisitas have been displeased with Florentino Perez’ management of the club affairs for quite some time.
There have been a number of controversies surrounding Perez’ decisions including his rumored pushing out of club legend Iker Casillas and his policy of not having faith in one manager for a long period of time, with Benitez joining the club in the summer after Carlo Ancelotti had the job for two years.