Real Madrid have concluded internal disciplinary proceedings involving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni after a heated incident during training that left Valverde requiring hospital treatment.
The Spanish giants confirmed that both midfielders have been fined €500,000 each following an altercation at the club’s Valdebebas training ground earlier this week. Reports from Spain indicated that tensions between the two players escalated during training before continuing inside the dressing room.
In an official statement, Madrid revealed that both players appeared before the investigator assigned to the case and accepted responsibility for their behaviour. The club stated that Valverde and Tchouameni expressed “complete remorse” and apologised to one another, the coaching staff, teammates and supporters before agreeing to accept any punishment deemed appropriate.
The statement continued: “Furthermore, 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.
“Under these circumstances, Real Madrid has decided to impose a financial penalty of five hundred thousand euros on each player, thereby concluding the corresponding internal procedures.”
Valverde later attempted to calm speculation surrounding the incident by denying reports of a physical fight between the pair.
In a statement shared publicly, the Uruguayan midfielder said: “At no point did my teammate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either.” He explained that the cut to his forehead happened after he accidentally struck a table during an argument, adding that “the fatigue from competition and frustration made everything seem bigger than it is.”
The controversy comes during a difficult campaign for Madrid, who have struggled domestically and exited the Champions League earlier than expected.
Reports in Spain suggest frustrations within the dressing room have increased amid the club’s disappointing season and growing pressure ahead of a crucial El Clasico clash against Barcelona.
