Arbeloa refuses to ‘crucify’ Valverde and Tchouameni Tchouameni after training ground fallout

Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa has sought to draw a line under the controversy surrounding Aurélien Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde after their training ground altercation sparked widespread headlines this week.

The club imposed €500,000 fines on both players following the incident, which escalated to the point where Valverde required hospital treatment and was later diagnosed with cranioencephalic trauma.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s El Clásico, the Alvaro Arbeloa stressed that the matter has already been addressed internally and should not overshadow preparations.

The situation has also intensified speculation over the futures of both midfielders, with reports suggesting they could consider moves away in the summer transfer window as Real Madrid enter the final stretch of the campaign.

Arbeloa, however, urged calm and called for focus on football, reiterating that the matter belongs behind closed doors:

“I’ll say it again, because maybe I wasn’t very clear: leaking things that happened in the locker room seems like a BETRAYAL of Real Madrid. Of this badge.”

“Of course it’s a healthy dressing room. It’s not easy to accept two seasons without a trophy, and as I always say, to be a Real Madrid player you have to be very ambitious.”

“For me, the most serious issue is that what happens in the locker room should stay in the locker room. The incident was just bad luck. And it needs to be put to rest.”

“What I’m not going to do is publicly crucify the players, because they don’t deserve it.”

“The players have acknowledged their mistake,, and apologized. That’s enough for me.”

Despite the controversy, both Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni have reportedly been linked with potential exits in the summer, with their long-term futures now under scrutiny as the season nears its conclusion.