Real Madrid’s Valverde has stitches after fight with teammate Tchouaméni

• Valverde accused Frenchman of leaking earlier argument

• Real play Barcelona on Sunday with title on the line

Real Madrid’s Fede Valverde was taken to hospital to have stitches after a second confrontation with teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni in two days, as the club’s collapse into chaos continues.

Players held an an emergency meeting and Real have opened disciplinary proceedings after a punch was thrown, blood was spilled and Valverde was taken for treatment, initially in a wheelchair. It is the latest episode in a catalogue of problems at the club; they will almost certainly end a second successive season without a trophy, Álvaro Arbeloa will not continue as coach, and the dressing room divide widens by the day. Real travel to Barcelona for the clásico on Sunday.