Aurelien Tchouameni issued an apology to Real Madrid after he skipped their Copa del Rey clash with Villarreal to attend an NBA game.
The France international, who is sidelined with a calf injury, was in the crowd for the Chicago Bulls’ 126-108 win over the Detroit Pistons in Paris on Thursday, January 20, 2023.
His presence at the Accor Arena, while Madrid fought back from a two-goal deficit to win 3-2 at El Madrigal, came under scrutiny from supporters.
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Tchouameni subsequently issued an apology, acknowledging he made a mistake by not staying in Spain to cheer on his teammates.
“I apologise to my club, the coaching staff, my team-mates and the Madrid fans for my presence at an event at a time when we were in the cup,” he wrote on social media.
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“I have been attentive at all times to what was happening in Villarreal, but I have not done the right thing. [I am] very sorry.”
Tchouameni has not played since a LaLiga defeat to the Yellow Submarine on January 7, when he was replaced just after the hour in a 2-1 loss.
Second-half goals from Vinicius Junior, Eder Militao, and Dani Ceballos helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side bounce back to winning ways on Thursday, four days after they lost the Supercopa de Espana final to Barcelona.
Los Blancos will face rivals Atletico Madrid in their Copa quarter-final after the pair were drawn against each other on Friday.
