Spanish Sports Press Association Rejects Real Madrid President's Accusations Against Journalists

The Spanish Association of Sports Press (AEPD) has expressed its categorical rejection of what it described as serious accusations made by Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, against sports journalists. This move comes in response to Pérez's statements, in which he condemned what he considered to be an “orchestrated campaign by bad journalists” systematically targeting the royal club.

The Real Madrid president had previously launched scathing criticism at certain media outlets during a press conference, accusing them of attempting to “daily tarnish the club's reputation” through a current seeking to destabilize the sports entity. Pérez articulated his desire to end what he called the “anti-Madridista current,” pointing to the existence of an “orchestra of bad journalists” working against his team's interests recently.

In an official response to these allegations, the Association affirmed that the practice of journalism must remain free and independent. In its statement, it noted that “respectful criticism is an essential part of journalistic work in any democratic society and must be exercised freely.” The professional body also stressed the necessity for mutual respect to remain the prevailing rule between clubs and media professionals, regardless of differences in viewpoints.

The Association concluded its statement by affirming “the most absolute rejection of the serious accusations” put forth by Pérez, considering the attack on journalists as an infringement on democratic values. This stance aims to protect the rights of professionals from any pressure that club managements might exert to direct sports media discourse to serve their own specific interests.