Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa has defended players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni after the club fined both 500,000 euros ($590,000) for their off-field scuffle.
'Apology is enough'
"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."
Incident details
The tussle occurred during Madrid's training session on Thursday. Valverde required hospital treatment for a head wound, telling reporters he had hit his head on a table and calling the fight "meaningless."
Both players apologized to each other the following day when meeting with club officials. They also apologized to their teammates, coaching staff and fans.
Criticism of media leak
Arbeloa's harshest words were directed at whoever leaked details to the media. "What happens in the changing room ends up being filtered to the media for me is a betrayal of Real Madrid," he said. "These things must stay in the changing room."
Madrid faces pivotal Clásico
Now Madrid must rally for a critical match at fierce rival Barcelona on Sunday. Only a win can prevent Barcelona from clinching a second straight La Liga title, with the Catalan club 11 points ahead of Madrid with four games remaining.
Tchouaméni will be available for the Clásico, while Valverde remains on medical leave recovering from his head injury.
Joseph Wilson, The Associated Press