The 3-2 loss to Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu has put Real Madrid within striking distance of possible 15 points of La Liga leaders Barcelona in the standings.Carlo Ancelotti’s side took the lead twice, but the Yellow Submarine came back stronger in the second half when Karim Benzema was brought out on the hour to rest.
But the events that followed the game tarnished the experience for many. According to reports, Federico Valverde fought Villarreal’s Alex Baena in the Santiago Bernabeu parking lot since the latter made comments about the Uruguayanpartner’s miscarriage scare earlier this year.
ESPN claims that in theprevious Copa del Rey game,Baena told Valverde, “Cry, because your child won’t be born,” after the Madrid star’s girlfriend Mina Boninowasat risk of losing their second child. Luckily, as it turned out, the infant was perfectly healthy after all
What kind of punishment doesFederico Valverdeface from La Liga?
The 24-year-old Uruguayan international has revealed to Marca that his ‘aggression’ did occur, saying he was responding to similar remarks made during Saturday’s encounter, although Baena has taken the stand to denythe allegations against him.
“Very happy with the impressive victory for the team on a stage like the Santiago Bernabeu, but at the same time very sad about the aggressionI suffered after the match. [I am] surprised by what is being said about my person. It is totally false that I said [comments about Valverde’s family]”, he took to Twitter to write.
Despite the fact that the event was seen by many people and video of it reportedly exists, Valverdemaynot be held sportingly accountable for his actions. Assaults of this kind may result in suspensions of four to 12 games, depending on the severity of the event, but the referee did not include this in his report, so possible action can notbe taken until a formal complaint is filed.
Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivoclaims that the event was not recorded in the referee’s official match report, but Villarreal have confirmed that the Spanish police have been notifiedabout Fede Valverde’s alleged attack. Since Baena has chosen against reporting Valverde to the Spanish Competition Committee, he will not be facing any form of sports ban.