The day of the elections for the presidency of Real Madrid has registered an episode of tension in Valdebebas, where members are called this Sunday to vote between the continuity of Florentino Pérez and the alternative candidacy of Enrique Riquelme.
According to what has transpired, Riquelme and several members of his team had positioned themselves in the exit areas of the polling station to attend to and speak with the members who were going to exercise their right to vote. However, the club had urged them to leave that area.
Riquelme's candidacy, outside the exit zone
Riquelme's candidacy's move occurred in a context of high expectation for a historic election for the white club, the first with ballot boxes and two candidates in almost 20 years.
The Alicante businessman's team tried to maintain direct contact with the members in the vicinity of the polling station, but the club's electoral organization considered that they should not remain in that space and informed them that they had to withdraw.
Elections with maximum attention
The incident adds to a day already marked by media attention and uncertainty about participation. Members can vote at the Basketball Pavilion of Ciudad Real Madrid, in Valdebebas, until 8:00 PM.
Both Florentino Pérez and Enrique Riquelme have already voted, on a day that will decide whether the club maintains the continuity line of the current president or opens a new era with the alternative candidacy.
First ballot boxes in two decades
Sunday's elections have special weight in Real Madrid's recent history. The club had not held competitive presidential elections since 2006. Since his return in 2009, Florentino Pérez had always been re-elected without a rival.
Riquelme's candidacy has broken that dynamic and has turned the vote into a showdown between two club models, with debates on transparency, the economic situation, the future of the Bernabéu, the bench, and major signings.
Day pending participation
Participation will be one of the keys to the result. Real Madrid has about 100,000 members, although it is estimated that about 70,000 meet the requirements to vote.
The outcome will be known after the closing of the polls, scheduled for 8:00 PM, when the counting of a vote that has already led to moments of tension in Valdebebas will begin.