Real Madrid fines Valverde, Tchouameni more than $1.1M US for altercation

Real Madrid fined Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni half a million euros ($588,000 US) each on Friday for their altercation during practice.

The hefty fines came a day after a tussle between the midfielders during training. Valverde ended up in the hospital with a head injury.

The incident led Madrid to open disciplinary proceedings against the players.

Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. He said he hit a table during the encounter, sustaining a small cut that required a visit to the hospital.

In a statement issued Friday, the 15-time European champions said the disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club "their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another."

Tchouameni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.

Valverde was not at practice as he recovers from the head knock.