The two sides reportedly clashed during practice on Wednesday, but Thursday’s incident is believed to be the most serious of the altercations. This is believed to have caused an unprecedented crisis within Real Madrid’s dressing room, with the record European champions launching an investigation to get to the bottom of the incident. They will face Barcelona this weekend without Valverde, who was injured in the incident, and will be crowned La Liga champions.
A statement published on Real Madrid’s website said: “Real Madrid CF announces that it has decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Choameni following the events that occurred during this morning’s first-team training session. The club will announce any resolution of either case once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed.”
“As a result of the tests carried out today by the Real Madrid medical service on our player Fede Valverde, he has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. Valverde is in good condition at home and will require 10 to 14 days of rest in accordance with the medical protocols for this diagnosis,” the Whites coach said in a follow-up statement.
It is believed that several members of Real Madrid’s backroom staff were needed to resolve the dispute, with all players forced to wait after training for an emergency meeting. The mood has been volatile since Real Madrid were eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich last month, but Barcelona recently took control of the title race in the league.
Already eliminated from the Copa del Rey means Real Madrid will face another trophy-less season. In another incident, Antonio Rudiger allegedly slapped Alvaro Carreras for rowing in front of his teammates during training.
The turmoil between Cioameny and Valverde has already led to speculation that at least one of them could leave the Spanish capital, with the former being linked with a move to Manchester United. The Premier League side are claimed to have made initial contact with the midfielder’s representatives with a view to signing him in the upcoming summer transfer window.
Cioameny has two years left on his contract with Real Madrid, so this summer could be their last chance to sign the France international. United are expected to lose Casemiro in the summer, while Manuel Ugarte is also rumored to be leaving the club.
The Red Devils are said to be putting two midfield reinforcements on the market as the transfer window approaches, and those in the transfer hierarchy are fans of Choameni. Matheus Fernandes, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson have also been named as potential candidates for the 20-time English champion.
