Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has been handed a four-match suspension in La Liga following a red card for pulling an opponent’s hair during their recent clash with Villarreal. The Competition Committee issued the ban after reviewing the incident, assigning two matches for the hair-pulling itself and an additional two for the Brazilian’s aggressive reaction.
The red card came after a VAR review overturned a goal from Vinicius in the second half, citing a foul in the buildup. The forward’s frustration boiled over, leading to the unsporting conduct that drew the red card. Diario AS reported the suspension late on Tuesday, confirming that Vinicius will miss Real Madrid’s next four league games, including fixtures against Sevilla, FC Barcelona, Racing Club, and Valencia.
Vinicius’ suspension does not affect his availability for Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League matches during this period. He remains eligible to play in the upcoming European ties against RB Leipzig and AEK Athens. However, he will be sidelined from La Liga action until after the next international break, which concludes on 21 November.
The suspension follows a summer in which Vinicius agreed to a contract extension with Real Madrid, ending lengthy negotiations. The club had hoped the renewal would signal a return to form for the Brazilian winger, who has struggled to meet expectations over the past two seasons. His performances so far this campaign have been inconsistent, with the incident against Villarreal representing a low point.
Real Madrid have expressed strong dissatisfaction with the punishment and intend to appeal the ruling. The club’s efforts to reduce the ban, however, face an uphill battle given the nature of the incident and Vinicius’ conduct following the initial foul.
For manager José Mourinho, the suspension is a blow to his squad’s attacking options in the domestic league. The absence of Vinicius will be felt particularly against high-profile opponents such as Barcelona and Sevilla, where Real Madrid will require their full complement of players.
The disciplinary decision and its immediate impact on Real Madrid’s lineup are now confirmed, with the club awaiting the outcome of their appeal. Meanwhile, Vinicius Junior’s focus will have to shift to regaining form and fitness for the Champions League fixtures during his La Liga ban.
According to Yahoo Sports.
