THE WOMAN targeted by Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in his bizarre rant has spoken out.
, 79, convened a press conference on Tuesday in which he .
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez slammed a female journalist for her coverage of the club Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Maria Jose Fuentealamo is an ABC columnist who does not primarily write on football
He said: “Real Madrid is the most powerful and valuable brand in the world, the club with the greatest global reputation.
“Why would journalists want to mess with the most prestigious and valued club, the one with the most fans in the world?
“This club belongs to everyone. And it has the most valuable squad in the world. Their only goal was to attack and its president.”
Perez went on to single out Spanish outlet ABC for its reporting, before specifically slating one female journalist and
He continued: “And I’m sorry, because my father read ABC and subscribed many years ago, but now I’ve decided to cancel my ABC subscription to honour my father, who will be grateful.
“How can ABC do this? Nobody bought it, nobody bought it and it caused a schism there. So I’m announcing that I’m canceling my ABC subscription; I’ll honor my father better by canceling it.
It has been a long and chaotic season for Real Madrid Credit: AP
“Look at the two articles they wrote today, by a woman who I don’t know if she knows anything about football or not.”
That woman has now spoken out and identified herself as Maria Jose Fuentealamo, a columnist for ABC who traditionally does not cover sporting matters.
She wrote an opinion piece in ABC questioning Madrid’s handling of , after reports of several shocking incidents emerged – before
The piece, titled ‘Real Madrid and the deafness of the loser,’ was less an analysis of where things went wrong on the pitch, but of how the club’s handling of recent events in the media was becoming a problem for their reputation.
But Perez took issue with the reporting, triggering his impassioned address of Fuentealamo, who has subsequently released another article responding to the strange confrontation.
She wrote: “What I never expected, as a non-sports journalist, is that at a press conference about Real Madrid and its current situation, Florentino would speak – without naming me – about me.
“‘A woman who I don’t even know if she knows anything about football.’ Here’s that woman, still in disbelief.
“Because of being in the public eye and publishing things that others don’t want you to, you get used to politicians throwing barbs at you, to corrupt or allegedly corrupt people trying to discredit you and even looking for ways to take you to court.
“But for the president of Real Madrid to dedicate a few words to me just for expressing my opinion? To this nobody journalist who doesn’t write about sports? I didn’t expect this.
Yes, Mr. President, that’s exactly who I am. A woman, what does it matter what I know about football? I do know the damage that happens outside the Bernabeu.
“Because this isn’t about football. And now I’m the one wondering if you know it or not.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
