A LALIGA footballer PUNCHED his team-mate in shocking scenes.
The vice-captain then had to be restrained by another colleague as tempers boiled over on the bench.
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Luis Perez was an unused substitute for Real Valladolid in Sunday’s 4-0 home defeat to Getafe.
Valladolid – who have Brazilian Ronaldo as owner and chairman – sit ten points adrift at the bottom of the table and look set to be relegated after ten defeats in their last 11 matches.
And it is clear not all is well inside the camp.
Midway through the second half on Sunday – with Valladolid trailing 3-0 – things got ugly.
Sulking striker Juan Miguel Latasa had been subbed off and taken his place on his seat in the dugout.
But right-back Luis Perez suddenly launched a furious attack at Latasa – seemingly when the striker ignored his outstretched hand offered for a handshake.
Perez, 30, clambered over Eray Comert sat between them and thumped Latasa in the arm with his balled fist.
Latasa, 24, gave no reaction as defender Comert – who started but had also been taken off – stepped in to hold fuming Perez back.
Perez continued shouting at Latasa as Comert, 27, attempted to calm him down and even covered his team-mate’s mouth with his hand.
As the raging star finally relented, a member of Valladolid staff stepped in before Perez walked away with him.
Latasa and Perez issued a joint statement on Monday to apologise for the unsavoury and heated scenes.
They said: “No sporting result or frustration can justify disrespect or the behaviour that we showed yesterday on the bench.
“We want to apologise to our team-mates, to the club and to the fans.
“We apologise to the fans without any excuse to justify our behaviour and with the humility of those who have made a mistake and seek to repair the damage caused.”
The duo added that they have personally apologised to the rest of the squad and will accept any punishment dished out by the club.
Real Valladolid condemned the behaviour and are considering disciplinary action.
The Spanish side added: “We deeply regret the image presented by our players.
“The frustration that the sporting situation has forced upon us all must be transformed into greater commitment, a better attitude, and improved performance, never into division and confrontation.”
Valladolid’s squad features ex-Chelsea wonderkid Kenedy and on-loan Arsenal goalkeeper Karl Hein.
Their next LaLiga match is away at Atletico Madrid on Monday night and they still have to play league leaders Barcelona before the end of the season.
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