05/09/26 04:47:00
Printable Page
05/09 04:45 CDT Real Madrid's Arbeloa asks to 'turn the page' after fight
between Valverde and Tchouamni
Real Madrid's Arbeloa asks to 'turn the page' after fight between Valverde and
Tchouamni
By JOSEPH WILSON
Associated Press
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) --- Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa has defended players
Federico Valverde and Aurlien Tchouamni, saying their apologies for having
scuffled were enough to settle the incident that led the club to fine both of
them a whopping 500,000 euros ($590,000).
"My players recognized their mistake, expressed their remorse and asked for
forgiveness," Arbeloa told reporters in Madrid on Saturday in his first public
appearance since the fight.
"That is enough for me," he said. "What I am not going to do is burn them on a
pyre in a town square, because they don't deserve that. It is time to turn the
page."
The tussle by the two midfielders when Madrid practiced on Thursday ended with
Valverde at the hospital to treat a head wound. Valverde said he had hit his
head on a table, calling the incident "a meaningless fight."
Madrid said both players apologized to one another the next day when they met
with club officials investigating the incident. They also apologized to their
teammates, coaching staff and fans.
The 15-time European champion, however, found the spat a serious enough breach
of team discipline to slap the players with fines that bite even the bank
account of a top soccer player.
Arbeloa said he was satisfied with how the club had handled the situation,
while also adding that he had seen worse behavior in his playing career as a
defender, which included Madrid, Liverpool, West Ham and Spain's national team.
"I had a teammate that hit another with a golf club," he said, without giving
any more detail. "Situations like this have always happened, but I am not
justifying them."
Arbeloa's harshest words were not for Valverde and Tchouamni, but rather for
whoever it was who told the media about the fight. It was first reported by
Spanish sports daily Marca.
"That what happens in the changing room ends up being filtered (to the media)
for me is a betrayal of Real Madrid," he said. "These things must stay in the
changing room."
And now a trip to Camp Nou with everything to lose
Madrid is facing a second straight season without a major trophy, despite
having France star Kylian Mbapp on the squad.
The 43-year-old Arbeloa has only been in charge since January when he was
promoted from Madrid's reserve team to substitute the fired Xabi Alonso. It
would be a major shock if he is not replaced after the season given the
inconsistent play of his star-studded side.
Arbeloa now has the difficult task of rallying his players for a game at fierce
rival Barcelona on Sunday. Only a win by Madrid can stop Barcelona from
clinching a second straight La Liga title, and even then it would likely just
delay a title celebration by Barcelona with the Catalan club 11 points ahead of
Madrid with four games left.
"There is no doubt I have to take the responsibility for the fact that we have
not risen to the challenge this season," Arbeloa said. "It is clear that
feelings of frustration and anger can push you into situations that you don't
desire. But now we must focus on (Sunday's) game."
Tchouamni will be in Madrid's squad for the clasico, Arbeloa said, while
Valverde is on medical leave recovering from his head injury.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
|
