Real Madrid's Fede Valverde was taken to hospital to receive stitches after a second confrontation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni in two days, as the club's descent into turmoil continues. Players held an emergency meeting, and Real have opened disciplinary proceedings following a physical fight that resulted in bloodshed and Valverde requiring medical treatment.
This incident is the latest in a series of problems at the club, which will almost certainly end a second consecutive season without a trophy. Álvaro Arbeloa will not continue as coach, and the dressing room divide is widening by the day. Real travel to Barcelona for the clásico on Sunday.
Valverde and Tchouaméni nearly came to blows during an argument in training on Wednesday, which continued into the dressing room, with teammates intervening to separate the pair as they pushed each other. Then, 24 hours later, sports newspaper Marca revealed that on Thursday Tchouaméni and Valverde fought, resulting in Valverde falling and hitting his head, opening a gash.
Valverde was taken to the medical department at Valdebebas and from there to the nearby Hospital Blua Sanitas Valdebebas, where he received stitches. Cameras captured the 27-year-old's car going back and forth from the training ground, although the Uruguay midfielder was not visible inside.
The incident began when Valverde refused to shake Tchouaméni's hand as he arrived at training, accusing him of leaking the story of the previous day's fight. The France midfielder denied doing so and insisted the accusations must stop, but Valverde persisted. With Valverde not letting up, even as other players tried to calm the situation, he tussled with Tchouaméni. Valverde fell and connected with the corner of a table.
As he was taken for treatment, an emergency meeting was held in the dressing room. Valverde was back at home on Thursday afternoon. Club captain Dani Carvajal was seen returning to Valdebebas for further discussions with club members. Real released a statement on Thursday evening: "Real Madrid confirm that, following the incident that occurred this morning in the first-team training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players, Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni. The club will communicate the conclusions at the appropriate time, once the relevant internal proceedings are complete."
The club's medical department then issued a statement: "After the tests carried out by the Real Madrid medical services on our player Federico Valverde, they have diagnosed head trauma. Valverde is at home in good condition, where he should rest for between 10 and 14 days, per the medical protocol for this diagnosis."
In a statement on Instagram late on Thursday, Valverde wrote: "At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn't hit him either, although I understand it's easier for you to believe we came to blows or that it was intentional, but that didn't happen. I feel that my anger about the situation, my frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through the end of the season on our last legs, giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a team-mate."
The long statement added: "I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry because this situation hurts me, this moment we're going through is painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life and I can't be indifferent to it. The result is a build-up of things that culminate in a senseless fight, damaging my image and leaving room for doubt - for people to fabricate stories, slander me, and sensationalise an incident."
The flashpoint comes a few days after left-back Álvaro Carreras confirmed that he had been hit by Antonio Rüdiger in an incident he said had been "resolved". Kylian Mbappé confronted a member of Arbeloa's backroom staff during another recent session and had to defend himself against criticism that he travelled to Italy with his girlfriend while recovering from injury. Midfielder Dani Ceballos has been left out of the squad after a confrontation with Arbeloa, and the beginning of the end for former head coach Xabi Alonso came when Vinícius Júnior stormed off during the clásico in October.
Back then, Real were five points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga. Going into this Sunday's game, they are 11 points behind their bitter rivals with four matches remaining. If they do not win, Barcelona will be crowned champions.
