Real Madrid has fined Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde €500,000 (approximately $588,000) each after a training ground altercation that resulted in Valverde being hospitalised with a head wound.
The club has not imposed any sporting sanctions on the two players. In a statement, the club said the fines “conclude the internal procedures” initiated against them.
Valverde will miss Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona due to the head injury sustained in the clash. The club said he will be sidelined for up to two weeks.
Tchouameni trained on Friday and could be available for the match at Camp Nou this weekend.
Madrid announced on Friday that both players had “expressed complete regret over what happened and apologised to each other” during the club’s internal investigation.
“They sent apologies to the club, teammates, coaching staff and fans, and both are willing to accept whatever sanctions Real Madrid deems appropriate,” the club’s statement read.
According to Spanish media, Uruguay midfielder Valverde was taken to hospital near the Valdebebas training centre by coach Alvaro Arbeloa. Reports said the player needed stitches to a facial wound.
Valverde sought to downplay the seriousness of the incident with the French midfielder.
“The pressure of competition and frustration caused the situation to escalate,” Valverde wrote on social media, expressing regret over how the media had reported the incident.
“I accidentally bumped into a table during the argument, causing a small cut on my forehead that required a routine hospital visit,” he said.
“At no point did my teammate hit me, nor did I hit him.”
According to reports, the two players argued on Wednesday during training, and the dispute continued on Thursday both during and after the session.
Spanish media reported that Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand and then fouled him during Thursday’s training, leading to a fight in the dressing room where the injury occurred.
Tension has been rising at Real Madrid as the club faces the prospect of a second consecutive season without a major trophy.
Los Blancos trail Barcelona by 11 points in the La Liga standings. Hansi Flick’s side could clinch back-to-back league titles on Sunday if they avoid defeat.
