Real Madrid President Calderon quits

RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- Embattled Real Madrid President Raul Calderon resigned his position with the Spanish soccer club Friday in the wake of a vote-rigging scandal.

Calderon said he had been persecuted by a "social mob" and "I walk away with clean hands and a clear conscience, and less money and health than when I started," CNN reported.

Earlier, Caldreron, 57, a lawyer, said he would not quit.

Allegations of vote-rigging came after a meeting of the club's general assembly last month. Calderon was accused of rigging votes on issues he favored. The newspaper Marca alleged that Calderon benefited in the vote by the attendance of several non-members.

Calderon had been under pressure during a season in which Real Madrid fell 12 points behind arch-rival Barcelona in the standings.

He was criticized for firing two coaches and for his unsuccessful attempts to sign players Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka.

Real Madrid may not elect a new president until after the end of the season, observers said.

Businessman Vicente Boluda, the club's vice president, will head Real Madrid until a new president is chosen.