Ollero: “For his own sake, and Betis in general, Ceballos should continue playing in Real Betis”

“We are not doing math, we have to achieve promotion. Once it is done, the math won’t be needed,” stated Real Betis President.

Real Betis Balompié President spoke before the media in the Cruzcampo Foundation, where a cooperation campaign between Real Betis Balompié, Sevilla FC and UNICEF for Nepal Earthquake Children’s Appeal has been presented. The head of the Club talked about Dani Ceballos’ contract renewal and other topics.

Quiet week after the latest results: “It has been a quiet week, but we must win so we can be at ease for the remaining of the season.”

Numbers for promotion: “We are not doing math, we have to achieve promotion first. Once it is done, the math won’t be needed. We’ll see where we will achieve promotion.”

Contract renewal for Dani Ceballos: “The news are as usual, everything is progressing accordingly. Betis is doing everything at its grasp to renew his contract, for him to keep playing for the enjoyment of Betis fans and to strength his professional career in the future. For his own sake, and Betis in general, Ceballos should continue playing in Real Betis. We are working for this to continue this way.”

How is the negotiation going to go?: “It’s quite risky trying to foresee how a negotiation is evolving and how is going to end. These kinds of deals go slowly and they suddenly finish. Other times it’s in the opposite way, suddenly the solution appears when it seems the deal won’t be completed. I can’t foresee how the developing of the situation is going to be.”

Are you waiting for Eduardo Macià to start to announce the renewal?: “On the contrary. There’s no reason to delay the announcement of the renewal of Ceballos’ contract. It’s all about how the negotiations develop. In this particular case, Eduardo Macià is not interfering, he starts working on the 1st of May.”

What did you speak about with Sevilla FC President, José Castro?: “I congratulated him for their match in Saint Petersburg. About what he said on beating us 23-0, I could say that I would like to win by 24. There are things that can be discussed in a friendly way. It doesn’t really matter.”

Meeting again next year in La Liga: “When we saw each other, he congratulated me for how the team is doing. He has said that he is eager to meet in La Liga. We’ll see how the score will be.”

Contract renewal of other Academy players like Fabián: “Betis is trying to establish a policy of player signings and renewals, specially with Academy players. This will allow us to continue, as soon as possible, with the developing of players. That is our will. We are defining the procedures for this. Fabián and Varela are included in this policy. We don’t want to leave open gaps that wouldn’t be beneficial to anyone, not even for the players.”

Varela: “I repeat what I said about Ceballos. In this case, negotiations are a bit easier. I hope to have news very soon.”

Are there outer issues affecting Dani Ceballos’ contract renewal?: “As far as I know, there are not and I don’t fear them. I’m sure, and we have told the footballer’s agents so, that Dani Ceballos should play for Betis until he, for his professional evolution and how appealing he would be to other clubs, will exit the Club. We are not going to fool ourselves regarding this. He needs to go on progressing in Betis, and his coaches also think so. We all think that this should be this way.”

Actions from the previous board of directors: “There are issues that affect the trials between the shareholders. Betis’ approach needs to be cautious. There is something that needs to be done, when needed, is to explain Betis’ point of view. That is what this board is for. These things need to be dealt with in court following the rules for these situations. We are not talking about these issues.”

Statement in the official web page: “Real Betis stated that it would examine the content of the expert report to see if there was any doubtful information; and that the Club would explain and act accordingly. Nothing else was said, just that the situation would be analysed.”