05/09/26 04:19:00
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05/09 04:17 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
MADRID (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 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.
Madrid is facing a second straight season without a major trophy, despite
having France star Kylian Mbapp on the squad.
Arbeloa, who is widely expected to be replaced after the season, now has the
tough 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.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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