In Madrid, where every Vinícius Júnior appearance is examined in the sharpest possible light, the Brazilian has responded angrily to a four-match domestic suspension that will remove him from several important fixtures in the Spanish calendar.
The Real Madrid forward was punished after pulling Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba’s hair during the meeting between the clubs. The incident, which ended with Vinícius being sent off and involved an exchange with the referee, has brought a four-game ban from the Spanish Football Federation. It arrives during a difficult spell for the 25-year-old, whose form has been questioned in recent weeks.
News of the sanction emerged while Madrid were completing a dramatic comeback against Roma on the second matchday of the Champions League league phase. Speaking afterwards, Vinícius said he could not remember another player receiving such a lengthy punishment without having insulted the referee.
“It is very easy when it is against Vini,” he said, suggesting his identity had influenced the decision. “I am working to return as soon as possible. I know I am not at my best, many people doubt me, but I have always stood up for Real Madrid. The good run and the goals will come back, I have no doubt about that.”
A four-match absence in Spain
The suspension rules Vinícius out of the Clásico against Barcelona, as well as matches against Sevilla, Racing de Santander and Valencia. His first possible return would be in matchday 13, away to Celta Vigo.
While the disciplinary action for the hair-pulling incident was expected to be significant, the scale of the ban has prompted debate because the referee’s match report did not record any verbal abuse from the Madrid player. Previous cases involving comparable physical offences have generally resulted in bans of between two and three games.
Vinícius also distinguished between hostility from opposing supporters and his frustrations with officials. He said away fans’ whistles did not trouble him because they were backing their own side, but argued that he was punished more frequently than other players.
“The rival supporters do not matter to me; they whistle because I am playing against their team,” he said. “What I do not understand is the referees. There are 500 fouls for five red cards, and more than 500 for I do not know how many yellow cards.”
