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The Villarreal player had opted against reporting the incident but has now changed his mind.
Villarreal's Alex Baena has decided to press charges against Real Madrid's Federico Valverde after the Uruguayan midfielder punched him in the face as he was boarding the team bus after the two teams met on Saturday.
Valverde will still escape any immediate sporting punishment for the incident, avoiding a possible 12-game ban, because Villarreal have decided not to report the incident to the Spanish Football Federation and it was not included in the referee's report.
But Villarreal confirmed in a statement on Sunday night that the police will now be involved and that could leave a way open for Spain's Anti-Violence Commission to get involved.
Baena had indicated to local journalists on Sunday morning that the matter would be laid to rest without any further action taken. But he changed his mind and his club have said they will back him in his decision.
The Villarreal statement issued on Sunday night read: “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.”
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09:30 - 09.04.2023
FOOTBALL Real Madrid's Valverde punches Villarreal's Baena after La Liga defeat
The 21-year-old allegedly made derogatory remarks about the Uruguayan midfielder’s unborn child
The club's first reaction after Valverde punched Baena as he climbed aboard the Villarreal team bus on Saturday night following Villarreal's 3-2 win at the Santiago Bernabeu was to leave the decision to their player.
Despite having video evidence of the incident, they felt it likely no action would be taken.
Baena denies telling Valverde in a cup game earlier this year: “Cry now that your son is not going to be born.”
The comment was alleged to have been made around the time Valverde's wife being in danger of losing the couple's second child.
Baena posted on social media on Sunday morning: “Very happy with the team's impressive victory in a place like the Santiago Bernabeu, but at the same time very sad about the aggression I suffered after the match and surprised by what is being said about me. IT IS TOTALLY UNTRUE THAT I SAID THAT.”
Spain's Anti-Violence Commission is a state body with the jurisdiction to impose bans. It must now decide if it will take action against Valverde, or leave the matter in the hands of the police.
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