Juanma Castano has hit back at Real Madrid after the club published a video compiling comments he has made over the past decade, escalating an already tense dispute between the COPE journalist and the Spanish giants.
The latest exchange follows Castano’s apology for comparing Real Madrid TV with the newspaper Gara in an ABC column.
Real Madrid had described that comparison as “an extremely serious act that crosses all boundaries” and reserved the right to take further measures.
The club then published a video featuring clips of Castano and his programme, prompting the journalist to respond on El Partidazo de COPE.
Castano accuses Florentino of continuing his campaign
Addressing the latest video, Castano directly linked the decision to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and argued that their long-running disagreement had entered a new phase.
“Florentino Perez is continuing the crusade he’s waged against me. Today he’s made a video compiling moments of me and the ‘Partidazo’ over the last 10 years.
“They’ve cut it, edited it, added this and that – I don’t know what. And they’ve uploaded it.
“As Florentino isn’t on social media, he’s uploaded it directly to Real Madrid’s social media accounts, which is something completely unprecedented. I don’t think it’s ever happened before.”
Castano then explained why he believes the latest intervention shows the president’s view of him as an opponent, while making clear that he has no intention of changing how he operates.
“I am very surprised at how low Florentino has stooped in his treatment of his enemies”.
The journalist then argued that his refusal to tailor his opinions to what he believes the Madrid president wants is at the heart of their dispute.
“I’m not going to say whatever Florentino Perez wants me to say here. And that’s what Florentino finds hardest to bear.
“That I’ve never adapted to the style of radio that he surely wants. He’s turned me into an enemy. And I believe that the enemies are elsewhere,” he stressed.
Castano says Real Madrid’s problem is Barcelona
Castano also shifted the discussion towards the current footballing situation, arguing that his criticism should not be confused with Real Madrid’s performances on the pitch.
“I’m not Real Madrid’s problem. Real Madrid’s problem is that Barça are six points ahead and play excellent football. And I’ve got nothing to do with that.
“I won’t threaten or intimidate people by slinging a load of rubbish at them. I’m not going to change. I’m going to carry on like this,” he noted.
He then expanded on his view of the latest confrontation, contrasting his current relationship with Perez with the more prominent figures he says the president previously opposed.
“The first thing I want to say is that I’m very surprised – very surprised – at how Florentino has lowered the bar when it comes to his enemies.
“I mean, Florentino used to have Ceferin, the UEFA president, and Sánchez Galán, the chairman of Iberdrola, as his enemies, and now, all of a sudden, he’s taken me and ‘El Partidazo’ on as his enemies.
“And he’s going all out. And that’s something which, perhaps, also shows a certain weakness.”
Castano ultimately finished by insisting that the dispute would not alter his approach to his work.
“I’m not going to change. I’m going to stay the same.”
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