A 12-game suspension is possible for Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde for striking Alex Baena of Villarreal following their La Liga match earlier this month.
After Villarreal’s 3-2 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, April 8, Valverde attacked Baena as he boarded the Villarreal team bus in response to a remark he allegedly made about his child.
Baena denied telling Valverde in a cup game earlier this year: ‘Cry now that your son is not going to be born’.
It was claimed that the remark was made at a time when Valverde’s wife was in risk of losing their second child.
The Spanish FA’s competition committee, an impartial disciplinary body, will reportedly look into the situation, according to The Athletic.
The Spanish FA’s competition committee will speak with Valverde and Baena and urge them to recollect what happened following Real’s 3-2 loss to Villarreal.
If found guilty, Valverde will be subject to a domestic suspension that may last up to 12 games.
Despite his outburst at Baena on April 8, Uruguay’s Real Madrid player still has a chance to avoid a suspension.
A judge may feel they lack the jurisdiction required to suspend Valverde as the incident did not take place during the game itself.
The Uruguay international confirmed to Marca he did let his ‘aggression’ get the better of him in the car park after the game. However, he insisted it was warranted.
Baena has denied reports claiming he made comments about Valverde’s family and his unborn child – claiming such allegations are ‘totally false’.
He took to social media after the game to say: ‘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 aggression I suffered after the match.’
Baena went on to add: ‘[I am] surprised by what is being said about my person. It is totally false that I said [comments about Valverde’s family].’
Baena also released a statement claiming his family had been subjected to death threats following the controversy, adding that he would let the police investigate.
Meanwhile, Villarreal issued the following statement on April 9: ‘Villarreal CF player Alex Baena was assaulted last night on his way to the team bus after the match against Real Madrid CF at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
‘Once again, Villarreal CF rejects any act of violence and firmly believes in the version of its player and will support him throughout this process’.