The Spanish daily newspaper ABC has hit back at Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez after he launched a blistering attack on the publication during a press conference on Tuesday. The newspaper dedicated its Wednesday front page entirely to the controversy, accusing the club boss of “hiding failures behind attacks.”
The press conference, called urgently by Pérez, saw him lash out at ABC for what he claimed was a campaign against him. He engaged in a heated exchange with Rubén Cañizares, a reporter from the newspaper who was present. During the outburst, Pérez invoked his father, saying, “My father read ABC and signed me up for the newspaper many years ago. But now I have decided to cancel my subscription to ABC in honor of my father, who will thank me for this.”
Pérez also made a sexist remark while criticizing the newspaper, referencing a column written by a woman. He singled out an article by María José Fuenteálamo, published that day, which urged the club to handle its current crisis with dignity—an indirect reference to the reported rift between Tchouaméni and Valverde. Pérez said, “Look at the two articles they wrote today. One was written by a woman who I don’t even know if she knows anything about football.”
In response, ABC’s front page on Wednesday read: “Florentino Pérez hides Real Madrid’s failures with an outrageous attack on ABC.” Inside the newspaper, the editorial board, columnists, and the director himself responded forcefully. Director Julián Quirós stated that no intimidation has ever worked against ABC in its entire history, and that Florentino Pérez will not be the one to succeed. The newspaper’s response was unified, defending its journalistic integrity and condemning the personal nature of Pérez’s remarks.