Real Madrid has opened disciplinary proceedings against two of Trent Alexander-Arnold's teammates after a training ground fight saw Federico Valverde taken to hospital
23:05, 07 May 2026Updated 23:10, 07 May 2026
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid CF looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between RCD Espanyol de Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at RCDE Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid teammates have been involved in a training ground bust-up(Image: Getty Images)
Real Madrid has issued a statement confirming that measures will be implemented following a training ground altercation involving two of Trent Alexander-Arnold's colleagues. Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde are reported to have clashed for the second consecutive day.
According to The Athletic, Valverde was transported to hospital for examination after sustaining a head injury. The dispute is believed to have begun after he made a robust tackle on Tchouameni during training, with tensions spilling over into the changing room.
During the confrontation in the dressing room, Valverde lost his balance and struck his head on a table. He was taken to hospital for checks, but has since been discharged and returned home.
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Marca reports that Tchouameni did not cause the fall, though teammates did step in to separate the pair. The incident led to urgent discussions between the two players, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Real director Jose Angel Sanchez attended the meeting. The discussions were designed to stop any issues from worsening, with the mood at the club characterized as 'extremely tense.'
Real subsequently issued a statement confirming that an inquiry had been launched into the incident and that appropriate action would follow.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Girona FC.
Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde have been involved in a training ground bust-up prompting Real Madrid crisis talks.(Image: Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
"Real Madrid CF announces that, following the events that took place this morning in the first team training session, it has decided to open disciplinary proceedings against our players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni," the statement confirmed.
"The club will announce the resolutions of both cases in due course, once the corresponding internal procedures have been completed."
This isn't the scenario Alexander-Arnold would have envisaged when he departed Liverpool for Real last summer.
The defender switched to the Spanish giants shortly ahead of his Anfield contract expiring, with Liverpool receiving approximately £10 million ($13.5M) to facilitate his transfer in time for the Club World Cup.
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It's proved to be an inconsistent campaign for the defender. His prospects of featuring in England's World Cup squad appear slim after Thomas Tuchel left him out of the March friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.
The unrest within the Real squad emerges mere days ahead of El Clasico against Barcelona. Real approach the fixture aware that only victory will keep their La Liga title aspirations realistically alive.
Barcelona holds an 11-point advantage at the summit with four games left to play this season.
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The clash between Tchouameni and Valverde occurred just 24 hours after the pair reportedly had a confrontation during training. Both players now face internal sanctions from the club, representing less-than-ideal preparations before El Clasico.