BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has defended players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni, saying their apologies for having scuffled were enough to settle the incident that led the club to fine both of them 500,000 euros ($590,000).
Arbeloa Defends His Players
"My players recognized their mistake, expressed their remorse and asked for forgiveness," Arbeloa told reporters in Madrid on Saturday in his first public appearance since the fight.
"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."
Details of the Incident
The tussle by the two midfielders occurred when Madrid practiced on Thursday. Valverde ended up at the hospital to treat a head wound, saying he had hit his head on a table and calling the incident "a meaningless fight."
Both players apologized to one another the next day when they met with club officials investigating the incident. They also apologized to their teammates, coaching staff and fans.
The 15-time European champion found the spat a serious enough breach of team discipline to impose fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player.
"I had a teammate that hit another with a golf club," Arbeloa said, without giving more detail. "Situations like this have always happened, but I am not justifying them."
Criticism of Media Leak
Arbeloa's harshest words were reserved for whoever told the media about the fight, first reported by Spanish sports daily Marca.
"What happens in the changing room ends up being filtered to the media is a betrayal of Real Madrid. These things must stay in the changing room."
Looking Ahead to Clásico
Madrid now faces a second straight season without a major trophy, despite having France star Kylian Mbappé on the squad.
The 43-year-old Arbeloa has been in charge only since January when he was promoted from Madrid's reserve team to replace the fired Xabi Alonso.
Arbeloa now has the difficult task of rallying his players for a game at fierce rival Barcelona on Sunday. Only a win by Madrid can stop Barcelona from clinching a second straight La Liga title, with the Catalan club 11 points ahead of Madrid with four games left.
"There is no doubt I have to take the responsibility for the fact that we have not risen to the challenge this season," Arbeloa said. "It is clear that feelings of frustration and anger can push you into situations that you don't desire. But now we must focus on Sunday's game."
Tchouaméni will be in Madrid's squad for the Clásico, while Valverde remains on medical leave recovering from his head injury.