By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: RealMadrid.
Federico Valverde has denied having a physical fight with Real Madrid teammate Aurelien Tchouameni in a statement released on social media on Thursday.
In a statement on Instagram, Valverde said: “At no point did my team-mate hit me, and I didn’t hit him either, although I understand it’s easier for you to believe we came to blows or that it was intentional, but that didn’t happen.
“I feel that my anger about the situation, my frustration at seeing some of us struggling to get through the end of the season on our last legs, giving it our all, pushed me to the point of arguing with a team-mate.
“I’m sorry. I’m truly sorry because this situation hurts me, this moment we’re going through is painful. Real Madrid is one of the most important things in my life, and I can’t just turn a blind eye to it.
“The result is an build-up of things that culminate in a senseless fight, damaging my image and leaving room for doubt – for people to fabricate stories, slander me, and sensationalise an incident.
“I have no doubt that any disagreements we might have off the field ceases to exist on it, and if I have to defend the team inside a stadium, I’ll be the first to do so.”
Valverde also confirmed widespread reports that the pair had another row on Wednesday, adding: “In a normal locker room, these things can happen and are usually resolved internally without it becoming public knowledge.
“Clearly, someone here is spreading rumours, and with a season without titles, where Real Madrid is always under scrutiny, everything gets blown out of proportion.”
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.
Real have have had disappointing season, sitting 11 points behind Barcelona in La Liga with four games to go, while they also exited the Champions League at the quarter-final stage with Valverde describing it as another “wasted year”.
Anything other than a win for Real in Sunday’s El Clasico at the Nou Camp will hand Barcelona a second consecutive La Liga title, with three games to spare.