Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni involved in second training ground clash
Real Madrid team-mates Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni were involved in a dressing-room fight at the club’s training ground on Thursday, one day after an earlier altercation between the pair.
Sources briefed on what unfolded, speaking on the condition of anonymity to protect relationships, stated Valverde was taken to hospital to undergo assessments after sustaining a head injury during the incident.
Madrid intend to take action over the situation but at this stage it is unclear in what form any potential sanction will take.
The initial altercation occurred in training on Wednesday, with the dispute continuing into the changing room after the session.
Multiple sources confirmed Thursday’s altercation was instigated by a strong tackle from Valverde, 27, on Tchouameni, 26, in training. After the session had concluded and the squad returned to the dressing room, Tchouameni confronted Valverde and, after a verbal dispute, this became physical.
During the argument, Valverde fell and hit his head on a table in the changing room. He was subsequently taken to hospital to undergo tests and has since returned home.
When contacted by The Athletic for comment, Madrid confirmed a second confrontation took place on Thursday and Valverde was taken to hospital.
Tchouameni’s and Valverde’s representatives declined to comment when approached by The Athletic.
The situation and the behaviour of the two players is believed to have angered Madrid’s general manager Jose Angel Sanchez, with the incident coming three days before the Clasico on Sunday. Barcelona can win the La Liga title if they avoid defeat against Madrid.
The Athletic reported on Tuesday that tensions have been continuing to affect the camp’s preparations for the weekend’s game at Camp Nou.
Last month, Antonio Rudiger was involved in a heated argument with a team-mate in the dressing rooms at Madrid’s training ground, which he has since apologised for. More recently, Kylian Mbappe was involved in an angry flare-up with a member of staff during a training exercise before their 1-1 draw at Real Betis on April 24. Neither player is believed to have been internally sanctioned.
