The two are said to have clashed in training on Wednesday, but Thursday’s incident is considered the most serious of their altercations. It’s believed to have triggered an unprecedented crisis within the Real Madrid dressing room, with the record European champions having launched an investigation to get to the bottom of the saga. And they face playing Barcelona this weekend, when Barca can be confirmed La Liga champions, without Valverde due to injuries he sustained in the fracas.
A statement posted to the Real Madrid website read: “Real Madrid CF announces that, following the events that took place this morning in the first team training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni. The club will announce the resolutions of both cases in due course, once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed.”
In a follow-up statement, Los Blancos said: “The tests carried out today on our player Fede Valverde by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. Valverde is at home in good condition and will need to rest for 10 to 14 days, as per medical protocols for this diagnosis.”
Several members of the Real Madrid backroom staff are said to have been needed to break the fight up, and every player was kept behind after training for an emergency meeting. Tempers have been brewing since Real Madrid were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich last month, while in the league, Barcelona took control of the title race some time ago.
Having already been knocked out of the Copa del Rey, it means Real Madrid are set for yet another trophy-less season. In a separate incident, Antonio Rudiger is said to have slapped Alvaro Carreras during training, with the duo having rowed in front of their team-mates.
There is already speculation that the Tchouameni and Valverde saga could lead to at least one of them leaving the Spanish capital, with the former having been linked to a Manchester United switch. It’s claimed the Premier League side have made initial contact with the midfielder’s representatives, with a view to signing him in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Tchouameni has two years left on his Real Madrid contract, meaning this summer could prove to be the last chance they have to cash in on the French international. United are set to lose Casemiro in the summer, while reports have also linked Manuel Ugarte to a departure.
The Red Devils are said to be in the market for two midfield additions when the transfer window rolls around, and the transfer hierarchy are an admirer of Tchouameni. Mateus Fernandes, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson have also been mentioned as possible candidates for the 20-time English champions.