Real Madrid will officially head into presidential elections for the first time in two decades after the club’s Electoral Board approved the candidacy of Enrique Riquelme on Sunday.
The decision clears the way for a direct electoral battle with current president Florentino Perez, whose own candidacy had already been validated 24 hours earlier.
In an official statement, the Electoral Board confirmed that Riquelme’s submission fulfilled all legal and statutory requirements established by the club’s regulations.
“Having been presented within the established deadline and complying with all requirements demanded by the current electoral rules and applicable legal provisions, the Electoral Board unanimously proclaims the candidacy submitted by Mr Enrique Jose Riquelme Vives as valid,” the statement read.
The board also detailed that Riquelme submitted the full documentation required for the process, including the official candidacy letter, the complete list of board members supporting the project, their signed acceptances, the electoral programme and the necessary financial guarantees demanded under Real Madrid’s statutes.
The president of Cox Energy had formally entered the race after Florentino Perez unexpectedly brought forward the elections on 12 May. Following the submission of his documents, Riquelme stressed that his campaign is not intended as a direct attack on the current president.
“This is not a candidacy against anyone,” he explained on Saturday. “It is a candidacy for Real Madrid. We have built a serious, professional and tremendously exciting project, both from a sporting and social perspective.”
The approval of Riquelme’s candidacy guarantees a historic vote at the Santiago Bernabeu. The last time Florentino Perez faced an electoral challenger was back in 2006, meaning Real Madrid members are now set to witness the club’s first genuine presidential contest in 20 years.
