Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says his relationship with Florentino Perez is "magnificent," although he did not deny that the Real Madrid president walked out of Sunday's pre-derby dinner due to a row over TV money.
La Liga's authorities and the Spanish government have long been attempting to collectivise the sale of Spanish football's TV rights, with Atletico one of a group of clubs to have challenged the current situation, which sees Real Madrid and Barcelona receive around half of all the monies raised.
A new law mandating such a sharing of revenues was passed in April, but the unequal situation has continued into the current season, with Real the only club to vote against a proposed new arrangement at La Liga's AGM last month.
AS, citing a source very close to the Atletico board, reported that the issue was raised by Los Colchoneros' chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin during the traditional directors' meal ahead of Sunday's 1-1 derbi draw at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
The report said Perez angrily left the restaurant before the desserts were finished, and took all Real Madrid's directors with him.
Cerezo told AS that he had a "perfect" relationship with Madrid as a club but knew that each individual would "defend their own interests" in such affairs.
"We have a magnificent relationship with all the clubs, and especially with Real Madrid, the fans and the directors," Cerezo said. "The relationship is perfect. Something else is each one will defend their own interests. About anything else, you should ask those who published the story."