Spanish giant Real Madrid announced on Friday they had fined Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde 500,000 euros ($588,000) each after a training ground clash that left the latter needing hospital treatment.
The club did not impose any sports sanctions on the two players, instead stating in a statement that the fine “thereby concludes the internal procedures” initiated against them.
Valverde will miss Sunday’s Clasico against Barcelona as a result of the head injury he suffered during the altercation. The club stated that he would be out for up to two weeks.
Tchouameni participated in training on Friday and could play at Camp Nou this weekend.
Madrid said both players “expressed their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to each other” while taking part in a club investigation.
“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,” read a club statement.
According to Spanish media, Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa escorted Uruguay international Valverde to a hospital near the club’s Valdebebas training site, where he received sutures for a facial wound.
Valverde attempted to downplay the intensity of the altercation with the France midfielder.
“The strain of the competition and frustration caused the situation to escalate,” Valverde wrote on social media, expressing regret at the media coverage of the incident.
“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.”
According to reports, the two players argued in training on Wednesday and lasted into Thursday during and after the practice.
According to Spanish media, Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand and then fouled him during Thursday’s training session, with the two wrestling in the dressing room following the injury.
Tensions are high at Real Madrid, as the team prepares to go without a major prize for the second straight season.
Madrid trail Barca by 11 points at the top of La Liga, with Hansi Flick’s side able to clinch back-to-back league titles on Sunday if they do not lose.
