Real Madrid has initiated disciplinary proceedings against midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni following a heated altercation at the club's training ground that resulted in Valverde sustaining a head injury. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday, escalated from a foul during a training session into a confrontation that continued into the dressing room. Reports indicate that tensions flared again the following day, leading to a physical altercation described by sources as 'very serious.'
Club Confirms Disciplinary Action
In an official statement released on Thursday evening, Real Madrid confirmed the launch of disciplinary proceedings against both players. 'Real Madrid C. F. announces that, following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team's training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni,' the club stated. 'The club will provide updates on the resolutions of both proceedings once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed.'
Valverde's Injury and Medical Update
A separate medical update revealed that Valverde had been diagnosed with a cranioencephalic trauma after undergoing tests at the club's medical facilities. 'Valverde is at home in good condition and will need to rest for 10 to 14 days, as indicated by medical protocols for this diagnosis,' the statement added. The Uruguayan midfielder is expected to miss upcoming matches as a result.
Valverde Denies Punching, Blames Accident
Valverde took to social media to address the incident, denying that either player threw a punch. He claimed his head injury was caused when he 'accidentally hit a table' during a second disagreement. 'Yesterday I had an incident with a teammate during a training session. The fatigue from competition and the frustration made everything seem blown out of proportion,' Valverde wrote. 'In a normal locker room, these things can happen and are usually resolved internally without it becoming all public.' He expressed regret over the situation, stating, 'I feel that my anger about the situation, frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through end of season, giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a teammate. I'm sorry.'
Background of Tensions
According to Spanish media reports, the initial confrontation stemmed from a hard tackle during training. Valverde allegedly accused Tchouameni of leaking details of their first dispute to the media, leading to further exchanges of hard tackles in the subsequent session. The altercation reportedly escalated into a physical fight, with teammates intervening before Valverde was taken to hospital. Some reports claim Tchouameni punched Valverde, causing him to slip and hit his head, briefly losing consciousness. Valverde was said to have required a wheelchair to reach the medical centre.
Team Morale and Mbappe Subplot
The incident adds to a tense atmosphere within the Real Madrid squad, with head coach Alvaro Arbeloa reportedly calling an emergency crisis meeting. Sources indicate that some players are barely on speaking terms, and six are said not to engage with Arbeloa at all. The situation is further complicated by scrutiny on Kylian Mbappe, who was photographed laughing and smiling as he left the training ground hours after the altercation. Mbappe has been criticised for taking a holiday in Sardinia while recovering from a muscle injury, with some teammates reportedly questioning his commitment. He released a statement via a spokesperson, insisting the criticism does not reflect his daily work for the team. Amid the turmoil, Real Madrid faces a crucial El Clasico against Barcelona, who could clinch the LaLiga title with a win.
