Rayco García, maintaining his position of power, and José Miguel Garrido, whose revenge from December was significantly charged, emerge as the principal victors from a remarkable general meeting filled with shocks, surprises, and unforeseen votes.
The latest plot twist, transformed by CD Tenerife into a sci-fi saga, nonetheless leaves control in the hands of its two principal shareholders.
The latter will oversee the island’s association with the agreement of the former, despite efforts yesterday to refute any “accord” between the parties.
Five Board Members
The leadership of the blue and white club is now comprised of five members, with a majority favouring Rayco and the possibility of co-opting an additional member.
The governing group emerging from the assembly will convene tomorrow to elect a president. One of the major surprises yesterday was the request for accountability from the individual vacating the position, Paulino Rivero, whom Garrido pushed out discreetly.
Additionally, contrary to all expectations, Samuel Gómez Abril was dismissed, and Conrado González Bacallado also met with failure. Meanwhile, former director Santiago Pozas and Juan Guerrero, the principal architects of the dismal biennium that Tenerife endured under the guidance and management of its still principal shareholder, have temporarily left the show.
Attendees witnessed Paulino Rivero, followed by Samuel Gómez and finally Ayoze García. The imagery was striking, as a former club player was presiding over a pivotal assembly during which he did not vote on the continuance of Rayco’s personnel, nor on the businessman from Santa Úrsula.
The session began with Sandro Arrufat resigning from his role as administrator. Allegedly, Miguel Concepción had motivated the permanence of Asu Asu in the institution as he was perceived as a satellite of Sergio Batista. Arrufat’s heartfelt remarks called for unity: «My commitment has been unwavering; I have always strived for the best interest of CD Tenerife» he summarised.
It was Garrido who had requested the assembly in December, prompting one of his lawyers to insist that the Board of Directors be expanded to six members, a decision that was accepted with 56% voting in favour. Indications of an underground agreement between the two principal shareholders were already emerging.
Although many minor shareholders opposed Garrido’s proposal, the owner of RG Consultant abstained.
Farewell to Paulino
This general meeting marked the final commitment to the blue and white cause by Paulino Rivero, yet he did not receive a dignified or graceful send-off. Specifically, Garrido’s lawyer proposed that the central table be vacated, and he would not preside over the session, a suggestion that the blue and white leader accepted with dignity until he exited the podium, receiving the night’s loudest applause.
However, the major shock regarding Rivero occurred later when he was no longer present at the Hotel School.
Fran León, president of the Federation of Peñas, who had previously adhered to Rayco’s directives and absented himself from the initial assembly call, shortly after Samuel Gómez Abril’s dismissal, took charge of the meeting, then led the Board as the current vice president.
A trusted man of Achi was the first to trigger events. Not only was his dismissal voted on, but a social responsibility process regarding his management of the financial sector was also initiated. The surprises continued, with another member present in the room (José Luis Canal from the Blanquiazul Unit platform) requesting representation for Paulino Rivero and Conrado González as well. It was only a matter of time before someone requested the same for Santiago Pozas and Juan Guerrero.
New Appointments
Continuing in the evident collaboration between the first two shareholders, the Board proceeded with the inclusion of two members from the so-called “union”, specifically its local faction. Once dismissed, from the seating area, Samuel Gómez requested the addition of lawyers Daniel Díaz, former mayor of Tacoronte, and Francisco Heredia to the blue and white directive.
Both additions received approval, but Francisco Mares’ appointment was rejected, as Garrido did what many feared: casting votes with shares from one of his companies (Only One Way) in one direction, and the shares of another (Eolus Capital Ltd.) in the opposite.
This illustrated the degree of institutional decline to which Tenerife has succumbed, ending divided in the concluding phase of its most challenging season. With a council split into two factions and lacking representatives from Garrido, one can be sure that the directives from Madrid are being executed in the club.
He was the one who gave Rayco García the go-ahead, who faces the monumental task of rekindling collective enthusiasm to rescue the club from what seems an inevitable relegation and subsequently achieving the sought-after revival.
This will occur after a joint effort marked by casualties along the route—far too many for a Tenerife that sought tranquillity and peace. For the time being, those sentiments are absent. Rayco’s triumphant smile as he exited the room revealed his sense of victory. Miles away, Garrido was also smiling. Yesterday, his carefully plotted revenge came to fruition with the ousting of Rivero and Samuel, mirroring the earlier dismissal of his two aides merely two months prior. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. In the decisive board, there was more vengeance than there was Tenerife.
