Villarreal's Alex Baena has claimed his family have received death threats following an allegation he had made a comment about Federico Valverde's wife's pregnancy scare.
Baena confirmed he had been punched in the face by Valverde after Real Madrid's 3-2 defeat against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
The Villarreal player has decided to press charges against Valverde for the incident, which occurred as he was boarding the team bus.
Baena has denied 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 was in danger of losing the couple’s second child.
The 21-year-old Spaniard has now released a statement claiming his family have been subjected to death threats following the controversy, adding that he would let the police investigate the incident.
'Last Saturday I was assaulted by a fellow professional after the match against Real Madrid,' Baena posted, as reported by Marca.
'After the event, some statements allegedly made by his entourage came to light, including that I wished harm on one of his relatives.
'Since then, there has been no evidence published to prove the allegations made against me.
'A tragedy was used to justify the aggression and there are lies that hurt more than the blows.
'The damage being done to my family is irreparable and unjustifiable: threats, insults and even private messages wishing death to my family.
'Yesterday I reported the case to the police. Let justice do its job. My only objective now is to focus on my profession and help my club to achieve its objectives.'
Valverde will 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.
The club had left the decision to the Baena, despite having video evidence of the incident as they felt it likely no action would be taken.
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'.
Valverde's wife, Mina Bonino, posted a message on Twitter addressing Baena's alleged comment.
She wrote: 'Do I have to explain why they told me that my pregnancy could not continue?
'We were silent for almost two months waiting for the result to know whether or not we could continue, having already five months of pregnancy.
'I have already gone through enough for them to come and question me about my son's health.
'Despite everything, from the bottom of my heart, I don't wish anyone to go through a similar situation.'
Valverde and Mina's child is believed to be healthy, with the Sun reporting that she updated followers on Instagram last month that she was 'six months into it'.
The couple already have one son together named Benicio, born in February 2020.