Row between Perez and supporters rages on

The animosity between members of the now defunct Ultras Sur and Real Madrid President Florentino Perez looks set to continue as the fan group relent in their quest to return to the Bernabeu.

The Ultras Sur, Real Madrid’s fervent supporters formerly housed in the South stand at the Bernabeu, remain upset about their treatment after 500 season tickets were rescinded after an altercation before a match with Real Sociedad. The fans are angry with how Perez has dealt with the situation as the club welcomed a new section to replace the Ultras made up of young fans.

The ‘Grada Joven de Animacion’ section, comprising of season-ticket holders in the age category of 16-35, now watch from the same position the Ultras used to regularly take up for around 30 years. Whilst there was a protest by the Ultras before the game with Celta Vigo this year, incidentally the first game the Grada Joven were present for, they have insisted there is only tension between the group and the President.

“We do not refuse to share with anyone bounds,” a statement on Monday read. “Whosoever encourage Real Madrid is welcome. What is not acceptable is that we consider the most excluded members of the group for unknown reasons and in some cases unjustified, given our track record in the Bernabeu.

“So we return to our hands tend to collaborate and get to increase the current young supporters , getting bounds create a spectacular continue terrorizing teams visiting the Madrid coliseum.”

The Ultras are gradually becoming more vocal about their treatment as a large group of supporters went to the Real Madrid Castilla game on Saturday and sung anti-Perez songs whilst watching the youngsters. The club tried to combat this by suspending ticket sales through their online and phone channels to prevent members of the Ultras Sur from making a stand.

Whilst this was going on, Madrid offered a subsidised price for the Grada Joven to go to the away game with Real Betis. The fans paid just €5 per person for travel and admission, preferential treatment that has angered the Ultras even more.

Many a presidential candidate has got on the wrong side of Perez before, including a certain Jose Mourinho, so can the Ultras Sur seriously change the mind of one of Spanish football’s most powerful figures?

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