Cerezo was photographed during celebrations for his 60th birthday standing alongside his Real Madrid counterpart, Ramon Calderon, smiling as he held aloft a Real shirt with his name on the back.

The Atletico president claims the shirt was birthday gift from Calderon, and that he only held it up to the camera after guests at a private birthday celebration urged him to do so.

However, the photo has drawn criticism from supporters groups already upset at the club's poor run of form.

Los Colchoneros have won just once since being knocked out of the Copa del Rey at the end of January, losing their last two league fixtures and falling out of the UEFA Cup at the hands of Bolton.

Cerezo told the club's official website, www.clubatleticodemadrid.com: "Mr. Ramon Calderon gave me a present which upon opening it turned out to be a personalised (Real Madrid) shirt.

"After calls from the guests to put the shirt on I limited myself to merely showing it.

"The meeting was in no way a public one. This photo is of a private event which took place in a restaurant.

"As president I try to build cordial relationships between clubs, and our sporting rivalries should not extend beyond competition.

"In any case, if any supporter of our club does not see it this way, as is their right, then I sincerely apologise."

Cerezo said he was "hurt" by the way in which the photo has been interpreted by the press, saying that misinterpretations could lead to problems between fans.

"I'm hurt by the social dimension this has taken," he said in the statement.

"All this creates is social tension, at times violence in the stands, and in no way helps to promote the true values of sport."

The president of the Spanish FA Angel Maria Villar was also photographed at the event with his own personalised Real Madrid shirt.