PEREZ SWEEPS HOME

Last updated : 12 July 2004 By editor

From Reuters:

'The 57-year-old head of one of Spain's largest construction companies gained the support of 94.25 percent of the 30,151 club members who cast their votes for the three candidates standing in the election to ensure himself of a second term as president.

Former president Lorenzo Sanz polled just 4.05 percent of the votes and the third candidate Arturo Baldasano gained 1.7 percent. Perez polled 55 percent of the votes cast when he defeated Sanz in July 2000.

Overall 47.56 percent of the 65,197 members who were entitled to vote took part in the election, a lower turn out than the last poll.

"The voice of the Real Madrid members has been expressed clearly and emphatically," Perez told supporters at his electoral headquarters after the results were announced. Today Real Madrid has won and the future has won. I know what challenges I face after this victory and I take on this responsibility in the knowledge that the only limits of Real Madrid are the dreams of it members."