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Official Communiqué
In order to address the different news articles published and interpretations that have arisen as a consequence of the gift/jersey that the President of Real Madrid, C.F. Mr. Ramón Calderón, gave to me last night, as President of Club Atlético de Madrid, I would like to state the following:
1. That within the powers bestowed upon me as President, I must always display the maximum respect towards opposing teams in the competition.
2. That I was a guest, along with the President of Real Madrid C.F. and the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, of a group of journalists who periodically get together informally to discuss current matters.
3. That during said encounter, at twelve o’clock at night, I was given a cake for my birthday with the Atlético de Madrid crest, which everyone tasted, and immediately following, and in a relaxed manner, Mr. Ramón Calderón gave me a gift, which, upon opening, I found to be a personalised jersey. Before the suggestion by the other guests that I put it on, I limited myself to displaying it.
4. That said meeting was under no circumstances of public character, nor was there present any accredited photojournalist, which means that the photograph was obtained during a private ceremony that took place in a restaurant.
5. That in any case, as President, I try to promote warmth and coexistence between Clubs, as our athletic rivalry should not extend beyond the competition.
6. The social dimension that this has acquired hurts me, as I think that the only thing that it creates is social tension, and sometimes violence in the stands, and it does not in any way contribute to strengthen and promote the intrinsic values of sport, amongst those, respect for one’s opponent, and the decorum that a President must have with any team, no matter how much of a rivalry there is on the playing field.
7. In any case, if any fan of our Club does not perceive it in this fashion, and they are in their right to do so, I give them my most sincere apologies.
In order to address the different news articles published and interpretations that have arisen as a consequence of the gift/jersey that the President of Real Madrid, C.F. Mr. Ramón Calderón, gave to me last night, as President of Club Atlético de Madrid, I would like to state the following:
1. That within the powers bestowed upon me as President, I must always display the maximum respect towards opposing teams in the competition.
2. That I was a guest, along with the President of Real Madrid C.F. and the President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, of a group of journalists who periodically get together informally to discuss current matters.
3. That during said encounter, at twelve o’clock at night, I was given a cake for my birthday with the Atlético de Madrid crest, which everyone tasted, and immediately following, and in a relaxed manner, Mr. Ramón Calderón gave me a gift, which, upon opening, I found to be a personalised jersey. Before the suggestion by the other guests that I put it on, I limited myself to displaying it.
4. That said meeting was under no circumstances of public character, nor was there present any accredited photojournalist, which means that the photograph was obtained during a private ceremony that took place in a restaurant.
5. That in any case, as President, I try to promote warmth and coexistence between Clubs, as our athletic rivalry should not extend beyond the competition.
6. The social dimension that this has acquired hurts me, as I think that the only thing that it creates is social tension, and sometimes violence in the stands, and it does not in any way contribute to strengthen and promote the intrinsic values of sport, amongst those, respect for one’s opponent, and the decorum that a President must have with any team, no matter how much of a rivalry there is on the playing field.
7. In any case, if any fan of our Club does not perceive it in this fashion, and they are in their right to do so, I give them my most sincere apologies.
