Arguments over Real Madrid presidency take new twist

MADRID, Sept 15 (Reuters) The results of the Real Madrid presidential election could be changed after former candidate Arturo Baldasano withdrew the civil lawsuit which brought about the suspension of the postal vote.

Baldasano's decision means that the Spanish judge investigating alleged irregularities in the postal vote in July's election could order the inclusion of some of the estimated 10,600 votes that were sent to the club but never counted.

Ramon Calderon was declared Real Madrid president after he received 8,344 votes, just 246 more than rival candidate Juan Palacios and 1,642 more than Juan Miguel Villar Mir.

''I decided to withdraw the suit because the other candidates agreed that I should,'' Baldasano told a news conference today.

Baldasano said that of the 10,600 postal votes, 4,600 were discarded because they were illegitimate, 3,800 because the members ended up voting in person, while some 2,800 were valid but had not been counted.

''In three or four weeks, and if there are no criminal actions taken, then the vote could be recounted and there could be a change in the presidency of Real Madrid,'' said Baldasano.

Presiding judge Milagros Aparicio will now have to decide whether or not the votes should be counted.

However, Calderon has said he will present a suit of his own at a criminal court to get the postal vote declared null and void in which case a decision would be delayed until that case was resolved.

REUTERS DH VC2150