MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid have launched disciplinary proceedings against Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni following an altercation at the club’s training ground that left the Uruguayan international requiring hospital treatment.
The incident occurred during a first-team session at Valdebebas on Thursday, amid reports of mounting tensions within the squad as the club faces a second consecutive season without a major trophy.
Valverde to Miss El Clásico
The club confirmed that Valverde suffered a head injury during the row. Accompanied by coach Alvaro Arbeloa, the 27-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital where he received stitches for a facial wound.
While Real Madrid described his condition as “good,” the midfielder has been ordered to rest for up to a fortnight. This confirms he will miss Sunday’s high-stakes clash against rivals Barcelona, a match in which Hansi Flick’s side could secure the La Liga title.
‘Accidental’ Injury or Dressing Room Scrap?
Conflicting accounts have emerged regarding how the injury occurred:
- The Player’s Account: Writing on social media, Valverde downplayed the clash, claiming his injury was caused by accidentally hitting a table during an argument. “At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either,” he stated.
- Media Reports: Spanish reports suggest a more physical confrontation. It is alleged that Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand and later fouled him during training, leading to a “scrap” in the dressing room.
- Marca’s Findings: The newspaper that broke the story reported that while the argument was heated, the cut was unintentional and not the result of a direct punch from the French midfielder.
Tensions at Boiling Point
The incident reflects the current atmosphere at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid currently trail Barcelona by 11 points at the top of the table. Should Los Blancos fail to win on Sunday, their rivals will be crowned back-to-back champions.
The club’s hierarchy has remained tight-lipped beyond the initial statement, while agents for both players declined to comment on the internal disciplinary measures.
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