Real Madrid’s Arbeloa asks to ‘turn the page’ after fight between Valverde and Tchouaméni

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has defended players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, saying their apology for their row was enough to resolve the incident that led to the club fining them both as much as 500,000 euros ($590,000).

“My players acknowledged their mistake, expressed their regret and asked for forgiveness,” Arbeloa told reporters on Saturday in his first public appearance since the fight.

“That’s enough for me,” he said. «What I’m not going to do is burn them on a pyre in a town square, because they don’t deserve that. It’s time to turn the page.»

The battle between the two midfielders during Madrid’s practice session ended on Thursday when Valverde was admitted to hospital to treat a head wound. Valverde said he hit his head on a table and called the incident «a senseless fight.»

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Madrid said both players apologized to each other the next day when they met with club officials investigating the incident. They also apologized to their teammates, coaching staff and fans.

However, the 15-time European champions considered the row a breach of team discipline serious enough to impose fines on the players that would even affect the bank account of a top footballer.

Madrid are without a major trophy for a second season in a row, despite having French star Kylian Mbappe in the squad.

Arbeloa, who is widely expected to be replaced after the season, now has the tough task of rallying his players for a match against fierce rivals Barcelona on Sunday. Only a Madrid win can stop Barcelona from winning a second straight La Liga title.

Published on May 9, 2026