Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has launched a passionate defence of Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni following a second dressing-room altercation in two days that left Valverde requiring hospital treatment for a head wound. The incident, which occurred on the eve of the clásico against Barcelona, resulted in the players being fined a record €500,000 each by the club.
Speaking at a press conference, Arbeloa insisted the dressing room was “healthy” and refused to condemn the pair, drawing comparisons to club legend Juanito, who once stamped on an opponent’s head. “Anyone can make mistakes,” he said, recalling a past incident involving Craig Bellamy attacking a teammate with a golf club at Liverpool. “Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni are two players who represent very well what Real Madrid is, who deserve a chance to turn the page, to keep fighting for this badge.”
Arbeloa confirmed that Tchouaméni will be in the squad for the crucial match against Barcelona, while Valverde has been told to stay home due to “craniofacial trauma”. A defeat for Madrid would hand the La Liga title to their arch-rivals. The coach hit out at “lies” about his players’ professionalism and described dressing-room leaks as a “betrayal”. “I am responsible for what happens at Real Madrid,” he stated, “and if you want to have someone to blame, here I am.”
He added: “The players have expressed their regret, they have admitted their error, and they have accepted the consequences. They have said sorry to the fans, the club and the dressing room, and that’s enough for me. They do not deserve to be publicly burnt at the stake.” Arbeloa urged the team to channel their frustration into a strong performance against Barcelona, saying: “At times, frustration and anger can bring about situations we don’t want but we can use that energy to play a great game tomorrow.”
