Ramon Calderon's turbulent tenure as Real Madrid president hit a new low yesterday after it was alleged he manipulated what was in effect a vote of confidence in December.

Marca reported that Calderon's budget was passed only because his directors admitted nonmembers into the general assembly and denied entry to about 200 real ones. Calderon was reportedly prepared to evict the media from the assembly should the nonmembers not be allowed in, while procedural irregularities and heavy handiness toward some real members also occurred during the December 7 meeting.

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily January 14, 2009)