Real Madrid have fined midfielders Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde €500,000 each following a heated training ground altercation that reportedly left Valverde requiring hospital treatment.
The Spanish giants confirmed on Friday that the pair were sanctioned internally after an investigation into the incident, but the club decided against imposing any sporting punishment.
In an official statement, Madrid said the financial penalties “thereby conclude the internal procedures” launched after tensions boiled over between the two teammates during training sessions this week.
Valverde is now expected to miss Sunday’s crucial El Clasico clash against FC Barcelona due to the head injury he sustained during the confrontation.
The club stated that the Uruguay international could be sidelined for up to two weeks, dealing a major blow to Madrid ahead of one of the biggest fixtures of the season.
Meanwhile, Tchouameni trained normally on Friday and remains available for selection ahead of the showdown at Camp Nou.
According to Spanish media reports, tensions between the two midfielders escalated over consecutive training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.
Reports claim Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand before later fouling him during Thursday’s session, with the argument allegedly continuing into the dressing room where the injury occurred.
Valverde reportedly suffered a facial wound that required stitches and was accompanied to a hospital facility near Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex by coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
Despite the reports, Valverde attempted to downplay the severity of the incident in a social media statement.
“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 teammate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either,” he added.
Real Madrid also revealed that both players expressed regret over the incident during the club’s disciplinary process.
“They extended their apologies to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans, and both have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept whatever sanction the club deems appropriate,” the club statement read.
The incident comes at a tense moment for Madrid, who are on the verge of ending a second consecutive season without a major trophy.
Los Blancos currently trail Barcelona by 11 points in the La Liga title race, with coach Hansi Flick close to guiding Barca to back-to-back league titles.
Barcelona can officially secure the title on Sunday if they avoid defeat against their fierce rivals in El Clasico.