Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa has echoed President Florentino Perez’s sentiment that the club has been unfairly deprived of seven La Liga titles. These accusations stem from an ongoing corruption investigation into payments made by Barcelona to a former vice-president of the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) over a 17-year period.
Barcelona has denied any wrongdoing and is reportedly considering legal action against Perez. The Real Madrid president had previously stated that he had been deprived of seven La Liga titles due to what he described as the most significant corruption case in football history, vowing to uncover the truth for the benefit of the sport. Furthermore, Perez announced plans to submit a dossier detailing their complaints to UEFA.
Speaking to the press on Wednesday morning, Arbeloa expressed that any Real Madrid supporter would likely agree with Perez’s statements.
“I am not here to comment on the president’s press conference. Any Real Madrid fan who listened to the president yesterday would agree that he defends the interests of the club’s members and would agree that the club is treated differently than other clubs around the world.”
‘Unbelievable That Only Real Madrid Wants to Uphold the Law’
When pressed specifically on whether he believed Real Madrid had been cheated out of seven Liga titles, Arbeloa suggested that there might be more undisclosed scandals.
“Of course. We all know what’s happened over the last 20 years. Surely there are things we don’t know. It’s neither legal nor does it make sense to those of us involved in this competition. It’s unbelievable that only Real Madrid wants to uphold the law in football. It’s a feeling shared by all Madrid fans.”
Arbeloa was also asked if he would vote for Perez in the upcoming elections he called on Tuesday night.
“I’m not a member, so… I’m not going to vote. I’ve known Real Madrid without Florentino. I know what it was like before he arrived and I know what it’s been like these past 26 years. I’ll stick with these 26 years. Real Madrid fans have realized what Florentino has done, beyond the titles. If there’s anyone capable of turning this situation around, it’s Florentino Perez.”
Have Real Madrid Hit Rock Bottom?
Regardless of the circumstances, Arbeloa was questioned about Real Madrid going two years without a major trophy.
“The double standard has always been there. We can’t deny that we’ve gone two years without titles. How many teams have gone longer? How many teams have won the European Cups we’ve won in recent years? I think the members aren’t stupid. What hurts them is the daily mistreatment from many people.”
He was also asked if Los Blancos had ‘hit rock bottom’, following recent comments from players like Toni Kroos describing their performance over the last two years as ‘unacceptable’.
“I find the question surprising… What are the other clubs doing then? We haven’t gone 50 years without winning anything. It’s clear that if Real Madrid is where it is, it’s because of its high standards and its constant drive to improve. I don’t know if anyone here dares to say that Real Madrid won’t win anything next year. I don’t. I don’t understand this feeling of institutional instability, of a divided dressing room…”
“Real Madrid has been doing many things right for a long time, it’s financially sound, well-managed, with great players, and I’m sure that in the summer the club will do the necessary analysis to strengthen the team and make it even stronger. But this is sport; you don’t win the European Cup every year, or La Liga. With level-headedness and high standards, Real Madrid will win again, I’m sure of it.”
Real Madrid is scheduled to face Real Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabeu on Thursday night, where the crowd’s reaction will be closely observed. With elections on the horizon, Perez appears to be in a strong position to win, but he is facing more scrutiny than ever before.