Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has defended players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni after their practice scuffle, saying their apologies were enough to settle the incident.
Fight Incident and Fines
The tussle between the two midfielders occurred during Thursday's training session. Valverde required hospital treatment for a head wound, stating he hit his head on a table and calling the fight "meaningless."
The club fined both players 500,000 euros ($590,000) — a significant amount even for top footballers. Both apologized to each other, teammates, coaching staff, and fans the following day.
Arbeloa's Response
"My players recognized their mistake, expressed their remorse and asked for forgiveness," Arbeloa told reporters in Madrid on Saturday. "That is enough for me. What I am not going to do is burn them on a pyre in a town square, because they don't deserve that. It is time to turn the page."
The coach also criticized whoever leaked the fight details to Spanish sports daily Marca: "That what happens in the changing room ends up being filtered (to the media) for me is a betrayal of Real Madrid."
Madrid Faces Crucial El Clásico
Madrid now travels to Camp Nou on Sunday to face fierce rival Barcelona. Only a win can stop Barcelona from clinching a second straight La Liga title, though the Catalan club holds an 11-point lead with four games remaining.
"There is no doubt I have to take the responsibility for the fact that we have not risen to the challenge this season," Arbeloa admitted. "Feelings of frustration and anger can push you into situations that you don't desire. But now we must focus on Sunday's game."
Arbeloa confirmed Tchouaméni will be in the squad, while Valverde remains on medical leave recovering from his head injury.