Real Madrid’s Perez summoned over Barcelona referee payments comments

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and FC Barcelona have been summoned to appear before a Madrid court on November 25 for a conciliation hearing ahead of possible criminal proceedings for defamation against Perez, sources close to the case said on Monday.
The hearing follows legal action launched by Barcelona on June 12 over comments made by Perez in May accusing the Catalan club of manoeuvring to obtain favourable treatment from referees.
Barcelona said its action was intended to force Perez to retract statements it described as knowingly false, defamatory and damaging to the club’s image and reputation.
It warned that if the conciliation process failed, it would file a crimina...