Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has defended the team’s dressing room fight after reports of a training-ground altercation between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde.
Speaking during a rare press conference to announce presidential elections at the club, Perez insisted that confrontations between players are normal at elite clubs and dismissed suggestions of wider unrest inside the squad.
“I’ve been here for 26 years, and not a single year has gone by without two players… or four of them… fighting,” Perez said.
“Like young people do, you kick one, the other kicks you back, and then they’re friends again.”
The Real Madrid president claimed the bigger issue was the leak of the incident to the media, rather than the argument itself.
Perez blames internal leaks
Reports last week claimed Tchouaméni and Valverde clashed during training and were later fined by the club.
Perez suggested the details became public through individuals inside the organisation unhappy with the current situation at the club.
“Those who leaked it did so because they’re unhappy and think they’re going to be fired,” he said.
“For me, the leak is worse because it implies there’s more to it than just a fight.”
Perez also criticised attempts to portray the incident as evidence of deeper problems following a disappointing campaign.
“They fight every year. Well, they fight every day. And that’s where it ends,” he added.
The club president refused to discuss managerial matters or explain the team’s struggles on the pitch during the appearance.
Real Madrid fans also criticised
Perez also addressed criticism from supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium after sections of fans booed players and chanted against him during poor performances this season.
He argued supporters should back the team rather than publicly criticise players.
“Real Madrid members shouldn’t criticise their players or boo them. They should support them,” Perez said.
The veteran president also linked some protests to former ultra groups and ticket scalpers who, according to him, remain unhappy after being removed from the stadium environment.
Perez additionally confirmed the club are preparing a detailed report for UEFA regarding alleged refereeing bias connected to the Negreira case involving Barcelona.
