Real Madrid announced on Friday that Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde have each been fined 500,000 euros following a clash during training that left Valverde requiring hospital treatment. The club confirmed that no sporting punishment would be imposed on the two players, adding that the fine “thereby concludes the internal procedures” initiated after the incident.
Valverde will miss Sunday’s Clasico against FC Barcelona due to the head injury he sustained during the altercation. The club stated that he could be sidelined for up to two weeks. Meanwhile, Tchouameni trained on Friday and remains eligible to play at Camp Nou this weekend.
According to a club statement, both players “expressed their complete remorse for what happened and apologised to each other” during the investigation. “They extended their apologies to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans, and both have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept whatever sanction the club deems appropriate,” the statement read.
Details of the Incident
Spanish media reports, as quoted by news agency AFP, indicated that Valverde was taken to a hospital near Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground by coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Reports suggested he required stitches for a facial injury. Valverde later sought to downplay the seriousness of the incident.
“The strain of the competition and frustration caused the situation to escalate,” Valverde wrote on social media. “I accidentally hit a table during the argument, causing a small cut on my forehead that required a routine visit to the hospital. At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn't hit him either.”
Reports indicated that the two players argued during training on Wednesday, and the issue persisted on Thursday during and after the session. According to Spanish media, Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand and later fouled him during training on Thursday. The reports added that the pair then engaged in a fight in the dressing room, where the injury occurred.
Context of Tensions
Tensions have been high at Real Madrid as the club faces the possibility of finishing a second consecutive season without a major trophy. Madrid trail Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga. Barcelona, under coach Hansi Flick, can secure another league title on Sunday if they avoid defeat against Real Madrid.
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