Spanish football — and La Liga in particular — was thrown into uproar today after Florentino Pérez, the powerful and long-serving president of Real Madrid, delivered one of the most controversial declarations of his tenure.
At what was expected to be a standard press event outlining future plans for the Santiago Bernabéu, Pérez shocked reporters when he looked directly into the cameras and said with measured but unmistakable conviction:
“I will not sell tickets to ‘WOKE’ attendees at my stadium — and I will protect Real Madrid from this ideology at all costs.”
The room went completely silent before a barrage of questions erupted from the press corps. Pérez, who has built an empire at Real Madrid over two decades, stood firm, explaining that his position was about “defending the values, history, and competitive spirit that have made Real Madrid the most successful club in football history.”
Within minutes, social media in Spain and beyond went into meltdown. Hashtags like #BoycottRealMadrid, #StandWithFlorentino, and #WokeGate surged to the top of trending lists. Fans were sharply divided: some hailed Pérez as a protector of tradition, while others accused him of politicizing football and alienating part of the club’s global fanbase.
La Liga executives, reportedly caught off guard, are now holding urgent discussions on whether the remarks could lead to sanctions or spark international backlash. “We have never seen an owner of this magnitude openly declare ideological ticket restrictions,” a league insider admitted. “This could escalate quickly.”
Pérez, however, showed no sign of retreat. As he left the press room, he delivered one last sentence that has since been replayed on every major sports network in Spain:
“The Santiago Bernabéu is more than a stadium — it’s a monument to excellence. And I will not allow anyone to change what it stands for.”
Whether viewed as a courageous stand for heritage or a dangerous step into cultural conflict, Florentino Pérez has ensured that Real Madrid will enter the next La Liga season under an intense and unrelenting global spotlight.