Real Madrid has initiated disciplinary action against two players after a training incident, opening formal proceedings against midfielders Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni. The club confirmed the move in a statement, saying it would provide updates once internal procedures are completed.
Disciplinary Proceedings
Real Madrid C. F. announced that, following the incidents that occurred during the first team’s training session, it had decided to open disciplinary proceedings against Valverde and Tchouaméni. The club did not specify the potential penalties but noted that resolutions would be communicated after the internal process concluded. Both players are understood to face severe sanctions, with one source suggesting the punishment could be “the maximum possible penalty,” though no official details have been released.
The Players Involved
Federico Valverde, 26, is widely regarded as a future captain of Real Madrid and is typically described as level-headed, making his involvement in such an altercation particularly striking. Aurélien Tchouaméni, 25, a French international, shares a similar reputation for composure. The clash between the two has raised concerns about the squad’s internal dynamics.
The Incident
The altercation is reported to have escalated over two days. According to sources close to the club, tension first arose during training on Wednesday, when a heated argument broke out between Valverde and Tchouaméni. The dispute continued into the dressing room, requiring teammates to intervene and separate the pair. It was described as a “fierce argument” that nearly came to blows.
The situation deteriorated further on Thursday. Reports indicate that Valverde refused to shake Tchouaméni’s hand as he arrived at training, accusing the Frenchman of leaking details of the previous day’s conflict to the press. Tchouaméni denied the accusation, but Valverde persisted. The confrontation then spilled onto the training pitch and later into the dressing room, where a physical fight ensued.
During the fight, Valverde fell and struck his head on a table, sustaining a cut to his face that required stitches. Initial reports suggested he was briefly unconscious and was taken to hospital. Real Madrid later confirmed he was diagnosed with “cranioencephalic trauma” – head trauma. He has since returned home and is expected to rest for 10 to 14 days under medical protocols. This timeline means Valverde will miss Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona. It has also been suggested that Tchouaméni may miss the match as a result of the disciplinary proceedings.
Club Response and Wider Context
In the wake of the incident, Real Madrid’s general manager, Jose Angel Sanchez, convened an emergency meeting at the training ground with all players in attendance, aiming to defuse the tension. Club captain Dani Carvajal was also seen returning to the training ground for further discussions.
The altercation is seen as symptomatic of a deeply divided and frustrated squad. Real Madrid currently sit second in La Liga, 11 points behind leaders Barcelona, with the league title effectively out of reach. The lack of competitive stakes is understood to have exacerbated existing frustrations, with relationships between key figures within the squad reported to have deteriorated significantly. Some players are said to be no longer on speaking terms, creating what has been described as a “toxic environment” where training sessions can become volatile.
This is not the only recent flashpoint within the Real Madrid camp. Earlier in the week, left-back Álvaro Carreras confirmed he had been involved in an incident with defender Antonio Rüdiger, which Rüdiger publicly downplayed as “a one-off, without relevance and it is settled.” Other reports suggest Rüdiger slapped Carreras. Separately, there have been reports that Kylian Mbappé was involved in a heated altercation with a member of the coaching staff during a training session prior to the team’s trip to Real Betis on April 24th. Mbappé is alleged to have spoken “angrily and in insulting terms” to a coach who had called him offside. The rift within the squad is understood to extend to manager Álvaro Arbeloa, with reports suggesting up to six players are currently not speaking to him.
Amid speculation that Real Madrid could consider selling one of the two players in the summer transfer window, the club’s official statement remained concise: “Real Madrid C. F. announces that, following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team’s training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni.”
