Real Madrid said on Friday it had fined midfielders Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde 500,000 euros ($588,000) each following a training ground altercation that left Valverde requiring hospital treatment.
The Spanish club said no sporting sanctions would be imposed on either player, but added that the financial penalty concluded its internal disciplinary proceedings.
Valverde will miss Sunday’s El Clasico against FC Barcelona after sustaining a head injury during the incident, with the club saying he could be sidelined for up to two weeks.
Tchouameni trained with the squad on Friday and could feature in the match at Camp Nou.
Madrid said both players had apologised during the club’s investigation into the incident.
“They extended their apologies to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans, and both have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept whatever sanction the club deems appropriate,” the club said in a statement.
Spanish media reported Valverde was accompanied to hospital near Madrid’s Valdebebas training complex by coach Álvaro Arbeloa after suffering a facial wound that required stitches. Valverde later attempted to minimise the seriousness of the confrontation with the France international.
“The strain of the competition and frustration caused the situation to escalate.
“I accidentally hit a table during the argument, causing a small cut on my forehead that required a routine visit to the hospital.
“At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either.” Valverde wrote on social media.
According to reports in the Spanish media, the disagreement began during Wednesday’s training session and continued on Thursday. Reports said Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand before fouling him during training, with the dispute continuing in the dressing room area where the injury occurred.
Tensions have intensified at Real Madrid as the club faces the prospect of a second straight season without a major trophy. The club trails Barcelona by 11 points in La Liga, and coach Hansi Flick could secure back-to-back league titles for Barcelona on Sunday if his side avoids defeat.