Real Madrid have fined Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni €500,000 each following a training ground clash that left the Uruguay midfielder requiring hospital treatment ahead of Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona.
The Spanish club confirmed on Friday that both players were sanctioned after an internal disciplinary investigation into the incident at the club’s Valdebebas training base.
Real Madrid stated that no sporting punishment would be imposed on the pair.
In a statement, the club said the financial penalties “thereby conclude the internal procedures” opened against the players after the altercation.
Valverde will miss the league meeting against Barcelona after suffering a head injury during the incident. Real Madrid said the midfielder would remain out for between 10 and 14 days under medical protocols.
Tchouameni, however, returned to training on Friday and remains available for selection ahead of the trip to Camp Nou.
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The club disclosed that both players accepted responsibility during the disciplinary process and apologised for the incident.
“During said appearance, the players showed their total regret for what happened and have apologised to each other,” the statement read.
“They have conveyed their apologies to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff and the fans, and both have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept the sanction that the club considered appropriate.”
Spanish reports said Valverde was taken to a nearby hospital, accompanied by coach Alvaro Arbeloa, after sustaining a facial injury that required stitches.
The midfielder later addressed the situation on social media, insisting the incident did not involve physical violence between him and his team-mate.
“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,” he said.
“At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either.”
Reports in Spain claimed tensions between the two players started during training on Wednesday before continuing into Thursday’s session and later into the dressing room.
Local media also reported that Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand before the disagreement escalated after training.
The incident comes at a difficult period for Real Madrid, who are trailing Barcelona by 11 points in the La Liga title race with four matches remaining.
Hansi Flick’s Barcelona can secure another league title on Sunday if they avoid defeat against Madrid in El Clásico.
