SOCCER: Real Madrid's Valverde hurt in dressing-room clash with Tchouameni, say club sources

MADRID – Real Madrid is facing internal turmoil after a dressing-room fight between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni left the Uruguayan midfielder hospitalized with a deep head cut, several club sources said Thursday.

The incident occurred at the club’s Valdebebas training ground, following an earlier clash between the two players.

A Real Madrid spokesperson declined to comment on the altercation but confirmed the club is reviewing how to respond. Sources added that disciplinary proceedings have been opened against both players, which could include fines or suspension.

The severity of the incident prompted an emergency meeting of senior club officials, during which no players left the training ground for over an hour. The aim was to ease tensions within a squad reportedly divided at a critical moment of the season.

This latest conflict comes after defender Alvaro Carreras admitted to a heated argument with a teammate earlier this week. Carreras called it “a one-off incident of no significance that has been resolved,” following reports of a clash with German defender Antonio Ruediger.

Real Madrid’s season has been troubled on multiple fronts. Manager Xabi Alonso was sacked mid-season, and his replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, has struggled to steer the team back to form.

After a Champions League quarter-final exit to Bayern Munich, Real trails LaLiga leaders Barcelona by 11 points with four matches remaining. The sides will face off at Camp Nou on Sunday in a Clasico that could effectively decide the title.

-Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters