The Useful Context
Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa defended Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni on Saturday, saying their apologies were sufficient after the two midfielders scuffled at practice and were fined a staggering 500,000 euros each.
"My players recognized their mistake, expressed their remorse and asked for forgiveness," Arbeloa told reporters in Madrid. "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 trophy did not need much decoration; the season had already done most of the talking.
The incident occurred during Thursday's training session, with Valverde requiring hospital treatment for a head wound. He described it as a "meaningless fight," saying he struck his head on a table.
Both players apologized to each other the following day during a meeting with club officials, then extended apologies to teammates, the coaching staff and fans.
The Detail Still Doing Work
Arbeloa saved his sharpest criticism not for the players, but for whoever leaked the fight to the media—first reported by Spanish sports daily Marca.
"That what happens in the changing room ends up being filtered for me is a betrayal of Real Madrid," he said. "These things must stay in the changing room."
The 15-time European champions face Barcelona at Camp Nou on Sunday in a match that could clinch La Liga for the hosts. Barcelona hold an 11-point lead over Madrid with four games remaining.
Tchouaméni will be in the squad for the Clásico, while Valverde remains on medical leave recovering from his injury.