Real Madrid: Valverde was rushed to the hospital after the training row with Tchouameni
Federico Valverde went to hospital with a head injury after an altercation with Real Madrid team-mate Aurelien Tchouameni but denied the pair had “come and attacked”.
The Uruguayan said the injury, which will keep him out of Sunday’s game against Barcelona, was caused when he “accidentally hit the table”.
Midfielder Valverde explained that he was hit “on my small forehead which required me to visit the hospital” during what he described as an altercation.
The club, which opened disciplinary proceedings against both players, said Valverde, 27, was diagnosed with cranioencephalic trauma, which is a type of coma.
Thursday morning’s incident took place three days before Real face a tough title clash against arch-rivals – and potential champions – Barcelona.
“Valverde is at home in good condition and will have to rest for 10 to 14 days, as indicated by the medical rules of this diagnosis,” the club said.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Valverde said: “I have never been hit by my partner, and I have not hit him, although I understand that it is easy for you to believe that we came with a hit or that it was intentional, but that did not happen.
“I feel that my anger at this situation, my sadness at seeing some of us struggling to finish the season playing in our last legs, I did everything possible, pushed me to the point where I had an argument with my teammates.
“I’m sorry. I’m really sorry because this situation is painful for me, this time we’re facing is painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life, and I can’t just ignore it.
“The result is an accumulation of things that lead to senseless fights, damage my image and leave room for doubt – that people make up stories, slander me, and make the incident worse.
“I have no doubt that any disagreements we may have had off the field will no longer exist on it, and if I have to defend the team on the field, I will be the first to do so.”
Valverde also confirmed widespread reports that the pair had another row on Wednesday, adding: “In a normal dressing room, these things can happen and are usually resolved internally without public knowledge.
“Obviously, someone is spreading rumours, and since the season does not have a title, when Real Madrid is always under scrutiny, everything is unbalanced.”
An emergency meeting was called for Thursday evening with Real president Florentino Perez and his staff, as well as head coach Alvaro Arbeloa and club captain Dani Carvajal.
Real have had a disappointing season, sitting 11 points behind Barcelona in La Liga with four games remaining, and exiting the Champions League at the quarter-final stage in what Valverde described as another “wasted year”.
Anything but a win for Real in Sunday’s El Clasico at the Nou Camp would give Barcelona their second straight La Liga title, with three games to go.
A spat between teammates before the game added to Real’s woes.
In their statement about the dispute between Valverde and Tchouameni, Real added: “The club will provide the decisions of both processes once the corresponding internal processes have been completed.”
Spanish media said the incident was described internally by several employees as “the worst that has ever happened at Valdebebas”.
