Madrid: Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has downplayed a physical confrontation between teammates Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, characterising the incident as a routine occurrence while expressing intense frustration over the breach of club confidentiality.

Perez addressed reporters on several subjects following Barcelona’s successful defence of their La Liga title, which they clinched by defeating Real Madrid. Central to the discussion was the altercation that resulted in a head injury for Valverde.

As reported by Goal.com, Perez noted that internal friction is not unprecedented at the club.

"It is not the first time two players have had a row here. There have been seasons when the players have been constantly arguing. These things happen!" Perez stated.

Frustration Over Media Leaks

The club president directed his sharpest criticism toward the fact that the private dispute was disclosed to the press. He suggested that while interpersonal conflicts are manageable, the loss of internal privacy is far more damaging to the institution.

"The row between the players was bad, but what is worse is that it's been made public. We have had arguments every year, sometimes even several, but it has never been made public before," Perez said.

He further elaborated on the gravity of the leak, asserting that the club has identified the source of the unauthorised disclosure.

"The leak was worse than the row. Players can make up after a row, have a coffee, and shake hands. But a leak like that is terrible," he added.

Details of the Altercation

The dispute reportedly began when Valverde refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand prior to a training session. The subsequent escalation led to the Uruguayan midfielder suffering lacerations and bruising. Club officials noted the injury was accidental rather than the result of a deliberate strike by Tchouameni.

According to Marca, the incident prompted an emergency meeting within the locker room. Valverde required multiple stitches for a significant cut, though the club later confirmed he was "at home and in a good condition," requiring a recovery period of 10 to 14 days. Following an internal investigation, both athletes were fined 500,000 euros, and the club announced the conclusion of disciplinary measures last Friday.

Coaching Speculation

Perez also touched upon rumours regarding the potential reappointment of Jose Mourinho, who managed the team from 2010 to 2013. Following a season without silverware under Alvaro Arbeloa, speculation has mounted regarding the Portuguese manager’s return. However, Perez remained vague on the details of any managerial search.

"Regarding Mourinho's arrival, we are not at that procedural stage yet; we are focused on ensuring that Real Madrid belongs to its members. I want to discuss this with them, let them come forward, let them tell me what they have done for Real Madrid in their lives," Perez explained.

He concluded by declining to comment specifically on personnel changes. "I am not going to talk about coaches or players. I am running to return the club's assets to its members," he said.

With inputs from ANI