Real Madrid

The President of Real Madrid was a guest on radio program 'El Larguero' on Monday. Boluda talked about some of the things he intends to do until the election and praised Ramón Calderón.

"I became a Real Madrid Board Member because for years  I've had my season tickets next to those of my dear friend Pedro Trapote, who one day thought of me and asked me if I knew Ramón Calderón. I had never spoken to him, but I am very proud of having had the chance to meet him and be part of his campaign."

"I never thought I would become President. I didn't believe what I read in the press. We met at Calderón's home the previous day and he said he wanted to carry on. We all thought that was fine. Nobody here is going to force someone to do something they don't want to do. Some Board Members think one way and others another way. I think he eventually made a wise decision considering his health. I left his house thinking he was going to continue. We all met again on Friday and said what we thought, but we all said we would stand by whatever decision he made. He decided to leave because he believed it was better for the Board and for the Club. He didn't do it for himself because by leaving he risks people believing he is a coward. He was brave to do so and gambled with his prestige. I am sure Ramón is not to blame for what happened. During the luncheon that followed the meeting he left for his office earlier than the rest. He still believed it wasn't time to leave. We supported him but insisted that he had to make a decision soon. I don't know how news were filtered to the press because none of us left the Board Room."

"I knew Nanín, but I don't know what it was he did at the Club. I don't think anyone has betrayed us. It all comes down to the human quality of each person. I pity the one who betrayed us, if indeed there has been a succession of acts of treason. I nevertheless think no one has betrayed us. Twenty people in an Assembly of 1,300 mean nothing, but one is enough to be serious. A 20 year old can't convince anyone to do something as big as that. I'm not using this as an excuse. It was a big mistake, but ten people are not going to have much influence on the outcome of the vote. You need more than that."

"I think all this trouble is rooted in the Club's Statutes. We have to agree to modify them because we have been making fools of ourselves for years now. There's something wrong there. We want to establish a transparent absentee voting system that can't be manipulated. I don't know if we'll have to work with the Postal service on that or what. We suggested it should be the same as it is in the Spanish general election, but we didn't win. We'll have to do somehting because we can't go on like this."

"I've spoken to Ramón since Friday. I have to pacify things and talk to everyone. I've always spoken to everyone. Calderón was a bit hurt because I talked to Marca, and I understand that, but I think that in time he will understand that's how things must be done. I haven't spoken to Florentino in a long time, but I always had a good relationship with him. I thought he did a good job at the helm of the Club. Villalonga is the only one that's said he will run for President, but I have never met him."

"I definitely will not run for President, even if the team wins the Champions League; it would be their title, not mine. I would like to continue to be involved in the world of football because I think it is fascinating, but I would never like to be a President. It was decided in today's Board meeting that if anyone wished to run for President he should say so and leave the Board. I will adhere to this. We must settle our accounts before the election, as we've always done. The election will either take place late in June or in the first week of July. It will not take place the weekend everyone decides to leave for their summer holiday. We don't really care when it is held; we just want the absentee voting system to be safe. We will try to come up with the best possible date for the election."

"There will be another Assembly before the election. We are trying to see when it would affect the sport sections less and fit in nicely on a legal point of view. I would like to propose a new rule regarding the absentee voting system and agree on it with all the candidates for the Presidency. We will try to agree with all as the date nears. We will strengthen the Club in order to have a transparent and clean election."

"I spoke to Juande on Saturday. I am quick and brief. I went to Valdebebas because it was my duty to do so and I told the players nothing was going to happen, that we have faith in them and that we need them now more than ever. I've been friends with Juande since he trained Valencia. I was a Board Member at Levante for two years and he became the team's coach when I left. On Saturday I told him, "I've always had faith in you. I like your methods, so there's no reason to worry." When I was asked about him before he arrived here I said I liked him."

"Juande is a great coach and I think he will remain here, amongst other things, because there is a clause in his contract that provides for that if he wins a title. The season is far from over and I have faith in the team. The pre-season work they will have to do this summer has already been planned and I guess it won't change. People shouldn't worry about signings because I'm sure every candidate will propose many duting the campaign."

"We will appeal UEFA's decision because every Real Madrid member has a right to demand we defend the Club's interets to death. Winning the appeal is another matter. I don't know who is to blame for this mess. Huntelaar and Diarra are players that interest us considerably and it is therefore very important for us that both are allowed to play in the Champions League. I will be sure to fire whoever is responsible for this mess whenever I find him. Pedja Mijatovic knows a lot about football. We shouldn't think about signing, renewing or selling players at this point. Mijatovic is a former Real Madrid player that can help the Club considerably. I don't know if he is going to resign or not; it is entirely up to him."