Real Madrid: Vinicius Junior banned for four matches, set to miss the Clasico

The scene dates from 10 October at the Bernabéu. On against Villarreal (1-0) as a substitute, Vinicius Junior pulls defender Nathan Saliba’s hair in the 73rd minute, the ball in play but not being contested between them. The goal he had just scored is disallowed and, after a VAR review, referee Isidro Díaz de Mera shows a straight red.

Two matches for the act, two for the anger

On 14 October the Spanish federation’s disciplinary committee handed down four matches: two for violent conduct (article 130.2 of the disciplinary code) and two for the protests (article 127), plus fines. Real Madrid had argued the contact was accidental and cited a manifest error; the committee followed the referee’s report: “Por tirar del pelo a un adversario, con el balón en juego, sin estar el balón en disputa entre ellos”. For a hair pull away from play, Johan Mojica and Ferran Torres had received only two matches; here the protests doubled the bill.

The Camp Nou absence no longer depends on the appeal

Vinicius will miss Sevilla on 18 October, Barcelona at the Camp Nou on the 25th, Racing Santander on 1 November and Valencia on the 7th. The club has announced an appeal aimed at three matches; even if granted, it changes nothing for the Clasico, second on the list. The ban covers La Liga only: the Brazilian remains available in the Champions League.

Apologies, and anger in the dressing room

On social media, Vinicius wrote: “Perdón a mi equipo y a la afición”. At the final whistle, José Mourinho had cut his press conference short: “No hablo porque quiero sentarme en el banquillo contra Sevilla y Barça”. According to Cadena SER, Aurélien Tchouaméni could not make sense of the decision either: “No entiendo qué pasa con los árbitros. Con esa tarjeta roja, no entiendo”. Madrid now go through October without their winger: Sevilla on Saturday, then the Camp Nou.