Valverde taken to hospital after alleged incident with Tchouameni
Federico Valverde was taken to hospital with a head injury after an alleged dressing room incident with Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni, just three days before they face a crunch title match against rivals Barcelona. Real later said in a statement they had opened disciplinary proceedings against the pair "following the incidents that occurred this morning during the first team's training session. " The club also confirmed Valverde has been diagnosed with a cranioencephalic trauma, a type of concussion.
"Valverde is at home in good condition and will have to remain at rest for 10 to 14 days, as indicated by the medical protocols for this diagnosis," they added. Sources have told BBC Sport that Uruguayan midfielder Valverde was knocked unconscious in an altercation, while ESPN has reported that he needed stitches. Tensions between the two players reportedly started during Wednesday's training session.
Although their argument is said to have continued into the dressing room, it did not go further at that point. Thursday's alleged altercation is widely reported to have taken place after training at the club's Valdebebas base, when France international Tchouameni is said to have confronted Valverde and a verbal argument turned physical. An emergency meeting was called for Thursday evening with Real president Florentino Perez and his staff, plus head coach Alvaro Arbeloa and club captain Dani Carvajal.
In their statement, Real added: "The club will provide updates on the resolutions of both proceedings once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed. " BBC Sport has contacted the club and the players' agents for comment. Real face Barcelona in El Clasico at the Nou Camp on Sunday.
Anything other than a win for Real would hand their rivals a second consecutive La Liga title, with three games to spare. Spanish media say the incident has been described internally by several members of staff as "the most serious ever experienced in Valdebebas". Reports of tension between Valverde and Tchouameni follow claims of other disagreements in the Real Madrid dressing room.