Real Madrid to punish Valverde and Tchouameni after training ground fight
Real Madrid are preparing severe disciplinary action after Federico Valverde was taken to hospital following a physical altercation with Aurelien Tchouameni.
Tensions at the Spanish giants have reached a critical level following their recent elimination from the Champions League.
The club currently sits 11 points behind rivals Barcelona in La Liga with just four matches remaining.
Escalating training ground tensions
The conflict between the two central midfielders initially ignited during a session at Valdebebas on Wednesday.
They were involved in a heated argument that rapidly escalated into physical shoving.
The animosity carried over into Thursday when the Uruguayan international reportedly refused a handshake before tripping his French teammate.
Manager Alvaro Arbeloa attempted to defuse the situation by placing both players on the same training team.
Locker room scuffle and hospitalisation
The managerial intervention failed to calm the hostility, leading to a full physical confrontation in the changing rooms.
Teammates were forced to physically intervene as the chaotic scuffle broke out.
During the melee, the South American midfielder fell and sustained a serious cut to his head.
He briefly lost consciousness and was immediately transported to a local hospital, accompanied by his manager.
Internal investigations and maximum penalties
The Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy are now holding emergency meetings to determine the consequences for both men.
Spanish radio network Cadena SER reports that both individuals will face significant internal sanctions.
It will be the maximum possible penalty.
An internal investigation is officially underway to address the unprecedented breakdown in discipline.
This incident compounds existing pressure on Arbeloa, with reports suggesting up to six squad members are no longer speaking to the head coach.
Broader squad unrest
The dressing room environment appears increasingly fractured beyond the headline-making brawl.
Club president Florentino Perez and several senior players are reportedly furious with the recent behaviour of forward Kylian Mbappe.
Meanwhile, defender Alvaro Carreras has been forced to publicly downplay a separate clash with German centre-back Antonio Rudiger.
In recent days, certain insinuations and comments about me have emerged that do not correspond to reality.
The defender released a statement dismissing the altercation as an isolated and unimportant matter.