Outlandish transfer promises and underhand tactics at Real Madrid

The race for Real Madrid's presidency has become bitter, with incumbent Florentino Pérez and challenger Enrique Riquelme trading ever more extravagant transfer pledges and accusations of murkier methods. The snap election followed a press conference in which Pérez lashed out at critics, referees and FC Barcelona, then said he would submit to a members' vote.

He has also raised the requirements to stand, including long-term membership and a substantial equity commitment. Pérez, who has dominated the club for decades, promises to sign Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté, add another defender and recruit a striker of Cristiano Ronaldo's calibre, while signalling an intent to bring back José Mourinho as a kind of team manager.

Riquelme, a 37-year-old energy executive, opposes selling shares to investors and vows to keep Real Madrid entirely supporter-owned; he has pledged to sign Rodri and Erling Haaland and to appoint club legend Raúl González Blanco as sporting director, with former goalkeeper Iker Casillas among his backers.

real madrid, florentino perez, enrique riquelme, ibrahima konate, rodri, erling haaland, jose mourinho, raul gonzalez, iker casillas, snap election