Two Real Madrid officials have resigned after newspaper allegations that unauthorized persons were allowed into the club's general assembly last month and votes manipulated, the club said on Wednesday.
Real President Ramon Calderon, who said late on Tuesday he will probably not stand for re-election when his four-year mandate ends in 2010, named the two officials as Mariano Rodriguez Barrutel and Luis Barcena.
The club has set up a commission to investigate the accusations in Marca, Calderon said at a news conference at the Bernabeu stadium, and insisted that neither he nor any other member of the management board were involved in irregularities.
"None of us participated either directly or indirectly in these acts," Calderon said, flanked by the other members of his management board.
"We all had a nasty surprise when we read of the facts reported in Marca," he said. "We did not do anything. We are victims." He ruled out his own resignation, or that of the board, saying it would be too disruptive for the squad.
Marca reported this week that unauthorized persons had gained access to the club's assembly on Dec 7 and their presence had helped swing votes on key issues, including the annual accounts, in favor of the management.
Calderon, 57, has denied any wrongdoing but said in a radio interview on Tuesday night he would probably not present himself for re-election.
(Agencies via China Daily January 16, 2009)
