Ahead of yesterday’s match against Real Sociedad, hundreds of fans rallied against Atlético owners Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Ángel Gil. The angry supporters gathered at the Marqués de Vadillo Square and marched to the stadium, holding up signs and singing songs, all with one common message targeted at Gil and Cerezo: leave the Calderón.
The Madrid District Court announced a ruling on Thursday nullifying an Atlético increase in capital that took place in 2003 because of “legal fraud.” The club has stated that the decision will be appealed to the Spanish Supreme Court. The judgment resulted from an appeal of an April 2009 ruling filed by minority shareholders of the club supported by members of Señales de Humo.
After Spanish law firm Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo retracted its report on Atlético’s finances because of “inexact, incomplete and erroneous information” provided by Señales de Humo, the association, composed of Rojiblanco journalists and fans, claims it was “baffled” and left in a position where it is unable to defend itself.
The Law Firm of Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo has officially withdrawn its 4,000 page report in which it had claimed Atlético’s debt was at €782m. The retracted report was prepared for Asociacion Señales de Humo, clients of the firm. Cremades issued a public apology to Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Ángel Gil Marín.
Atlético will be looking to file a lawsuit against the Señales de Humo association of fans and journalists and the Law Firm of Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo. The club accuses the parties of presenting grossly inaccurate information regarding Atleti’s finances, particularly the club’s debt, which the report prepared by Cremades & Calvo-Sotelo attorneys claims is at €782m.
Spain’s anti-corruption prosecution agency, the Fiscalía Anticorrupción, is reportedly investigating the family of Atlético General Director Miguel Angel Gil Marín as part of an alleged 2003-04 financial scandal which took place at the club. President Enrique Cerezo may also be implicated. If found guilty, the pair could be forced out of the club.