Perez downplays Real Madrid dressing‑room dispute, saying players argue there every year.

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 at a rare press conference to announce the club’s presidential elections, Perez said that confrontations among players are normal at elite clubs and rejected claims of broader unrest within 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 said the more serious issue was the leak of the incident to the media, not the argument itself.

Florentino Perez – Getty image

Perez blames internal leaks

Reports last week said Tchouameni and Valverde clashed during training and were subsequently fined by the club.

Perez suggested the information reached the press because of individuals inside the organization who are dissatisfied 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 use the incident as evidence of deeper problems after a disappointing campaign.

“They fight every year. Well, they fight every day. And that’s where it ends,” he added.

The club president declined to discuss managerial issues or explain the team’s on‑field struggles during the appearance.

Real Madrid fans also criticised

Perez also responded to criticism from supporters at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, where some fans booed players and chanted against him during the season’s poor performances.

He argued that supporters should back the team rather than publicly criticise the players.

“Real Madrid members shouldn’t criticise their players or boo them. They should support them,” Perez said.

The veteran president linked some of the protests to former ultra groups and ticket scalpers, who he said remain dissatisfied after being excluded from the stadium environment.

Perez also confirmed that the club is preparing a detailed report for UEFA concerning alleged refereeing bias linked to the Negreira case involving Barcelona.