Real Madrid fined Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde 500,000 euros each after a training ground altercation left Valverde needing hospital treatment ahead of Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona.
The club confirmed the punishment on Friday and closed its internal investigation without handing either player a sporting suspension. Madrid said both players apologised to each other, the squad, coaching staff and supporters.
Valverde will miss Sunday’s match at Camp Nou because of the head injury he suffered during the incident. The club expects the Uruguay midfielder to remain out for up to two weeks.
Madrid said the pair showed “complete remorse for what happened” and accepted the club’s disciplinary process.
Spanish reports stated the argument started during training on Wednesday before tensions continued into Thursday’s session. Reports claimed Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand before later fouling the France midfielder in training. The dispute reportedly carried on into the dressing room, where Valverde suffered a facial wound that required stitches.
Valverde tried to calm the situation through social media. “The strain of the 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 didn’t hit him either.”
Tchouameni trained on Friday and remains available for the trip to Barcelona.
The incident comes during a tense period for Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s side trail Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga with three league matches remaining. Hansi Flick’s team can secure another league title on Sunday if they avoid defeat in the Clasico.
