Arbeloa calls leaks a betrayal amid Real Madrid turmoil | OneFootball

Álvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid coach, defended his players amid a fraught week, with the clash between Fede Valverde and Aurelien Tchouaméni the flashpoint. He said dressing-room leaks amount to a betrayal of the club.

According to EFE, during the altercation Valverde, Real Madrid's second captain, slipped and struck a table in the dressing room at Valdebebas. He received head stitches at the training complex, had hospital checks as protocol, then returned home to rest for 10 or 14 days depending on recovery.

The pair first squared up on Wednesday after a training incident, then tensions escalated on Thursday and boiled over inside the dressing room. Real Madrid opened disciplinary cases and fined both players €500,000 after two confrontations within 24 hours.

Arbeloa refused to point fingers, noting the number of people around the squad, and said he tries to set an example by keeping private conversations private. He added he has seen worse as a player, recalling a team-mate once using a golf club in a row.

He praised his captains and the group’s character, saying he sees a healthy, younger dressing room ready to learn from two trophyless seasons and compete to win again. He said those experiences would help them understand the badge better.

With his own future uncertain, Arbeloa said his focus was on winning tomorrow’s clásico against Barcelona. He also backed Florentino Pérez as best placed to turn the situation around, citing his record as the most decorated president and the club’s resurgence under him.

Source: Superdeporte