The president of Atlético talks about the Negreira case, the Super League and the ambition of his team
“The ‘Cholo’ has earned what he earns, he and Griezmann will be at Atlético until they want”
MADRID, 16 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The president of Atlético de Madrid, Enrique Cerezo, reviewed current issues, such as the ‘Negreira case’ or the Super League, and the good moment of the red and white team for “a few years now” with the help of Diego Pablo Simeone who will be on his bench until he wants, just like Antoine Griezmann on the field.
“We have been doing very well for a few years. We have a great coach, a magnificent team and fans, magnificent managers and people who work, sportingly we have everything. Now we are playing very well and we win. Whenever you win it is more fun,” he said this Wednesday night in an interview with El Partidazo de Cope, collected by Europa Press.
Atlético’s top leader made clear the club’s harmony with Simeone, who has been on the Atlético bench for 12 years, a coach who would have also triumphed with Jesús Gil. “As the games and titles went by, no one thought that ‘Cholo’ was going to leave the club. I have never thought that ‘Cholo’ was going to leave. In one season I presented seven coaches, but Gil would not have fired him. ‘Cholo,'” he said.
Cerezo also referred to the renewal of the Argentine coach and the one Griezmann requested last weekend. “Griezmann has a long contract, he will be here until he wants. ‘Cholo’ has earned what he earns. Simeone and Griezmann will be at Atlético until they want, more can’t be said,” he commented.
Furthermore, the president of Atlético denied rumors about a possible sale of the club and stated that he will go hand in hand with Miguel Ángel Gil Marín. “We have started together and we will leave together. He has never let me in on anything, we have a controlled club, members who do not create problems. Offers, none so far,” he said.
On the other hand, Cerezo was asked about his relationship with the presidents of Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, Florentino Pérez and Joan Laporta, without “any problem with them”, and began to assess what is known so far about the ‘Negreira case’ that He has the Catalan team on trial. “The ‘Negreira case’ is in court and everyone is innocent until there is a sentence,” he noted.
“If a result is fixed in the way that is being discussed with the ‘Negreira case’ it is a scam on football. There is not much to talk about, there is a trial. In the 36 years that I have been in football I have heard once that a goalkeeper sold himself in a match. I have never heard from anyone that a referee has sold himself for money, for me it is impossible,” he said.
“I don’t defend anyone, there is a lot of talk. They will have to see who they paid and why they were paid. It seems filthy and stupid to me if they have paid a referee to mediate in a match and they have to be sanctioned,” he added about the investigation of Barça’s payments to the former president of the Technical Committee of Referees, José María Enríquez Negreira.
In sports, and after once again making clear his position against VAR due to the added problems it has brought to football, Cerezo spoke of his team as a “favorite” for the titles. “Atlético is a candidate to win the League, it is among the favorites, like Madrid, Barcelona, Real Sociedad. Number one favorite is my team. We always go out to win and we are going to fight for everything,” he confessed.
On the other hand, Cerezo referred to the Super League, citing the statement published this Wednesday by Atlético de Madrid. “The club’s position is very clear and everyone knows it. Maybe I didn’t express myself adequately, so I want to make it very clear: Atlético de Madrid is in favor of improving European competitions and generating greater income for everyone.” the clubs with the consensus of the entire football family,” the note said.
“We want the best possible competition and, as I have always said, any change must be controlled by UEFA and ECA, which is where the clubs are represented,” he added.