Real Madrid have opened disciplinary proceedings against midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni following a training ground altercation on 8 May that left Valverde requiring hospital treatment for a facial wound and ruled out of Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona, a match in which the Catalans can clinch the La Liga title.
The club confirmed the action in a statement, saying: “Following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team’s training session, the club has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.”
According to Spanish media reports, the pair had already clashed during Wednesday’s training session, with their dispute carrying over into Thursday’s session and beyond. Valverde reportedly refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand before training, fouled the French midfielder during the session, and then continued the confrontation in the dressing room afterwards, where the injury occurred.
Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa accompanied Valverde to the hospital facility near the club’s Valdebebas training complex, where the Uruguayan received stitches for a cut to his forehead. The club confirmed he had suffered a head injury but was in good condition, adding that he would need up to a fortnight to recover. Spanish newspaper Marca, who first reported the incident, said the injury was caused unintentionally rather than as the result of a direct punch from Tchouameni.
The 27-year-old took to social media in an attempt to play down the severity of the incident and deflect the considerable media attention it had attracted.
“The strain of competition and frustration caused the situation to escalate,” Valverde wrote. “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 did not hit him either.”
He also expressed regret at the level of coverage the incident had received, though his words did little to quell the speculation surrounding the state of relations within the Madrid dressing room.
The timing could hardly be worse for a Real Madrid side already dealing with a deeply disappointing season. Tensions have been building at the club as they stare down the prospect of a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy, having already been eliminated from the Champions League.
Madrid trail Barcelona by 11 points at the top of La Liga, with Hansi Flick’s side able to clinch back-to-back league titles on Sunday if they avoid defeat in the Clasico. Valverde’s absence from that match removes one of Madrid’s most influential and energetic midfielders from perhaps their most important fixture of the season.
