Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez held a press conference on May 13, during which he launched a fierce attack on the media industry, particularly targeting the Vocento Group and its outlets ABC and Relevo. Journalists from these media outlets were present throughout his speech. While the press conference was still in progress, Ignacio Aznar, chairman of the Vocento Group, announced his resignation.
At the press conference, Florentino first engaged in a heated exchange with Rubén Cañizares, a journalist from ABC television. “If they continue behaving like this, just like Rubén Cañizares… Are you from Relevo?” Florentino questioned. After the journalist denied it, he pressed on: “So, you’re colluding privately with ABC Television to do all this? You attack Real Madrid every day… Not just you, but others as well. I have decided to cancel my subscription to ABC Television. My father made me a member of this outlet for 50 years, but now it seems canceling the subscription is a better way to honor his memory.”
For Relevo, also owned by Vocento, Florentino showed no mercy. “This project cost them $100 million, with Relevo directly bearing $25 million in losses. I thought things would improve after Relevo’s downfall, but that hasn’t been the case. They should really read Cañizares’ articles carefully.”
At the same time this fiery press conference was taking place, whether by coincidence or not, the Vocento Group issued a statement announcing the resignation of its chairman, Ignacio Aznar, and proposing Elías Viñuela as his successor.
The Vocento Group’s press release stated: “Mr. Ignacio Ibarra Aznar today informed the company’s board of directors of his intention to step down after the next general shareholders’ meeting scheduled for May 13, 2026. He has nominated Mr. Ignacio Elías García de Viñuela as his successor, a nomination that has received a positive evaluation from the Appointments and Remuneration Committee.” The release also noted that the outgoing chairman “will remain on the board as a director.”