Madrid’s road to the next Clásico has been altered by a disciplinary ruling that leaves Vinicius Junior unavailable for Real Madrid’s meeting with Barcelona. The Brazilian winger has received a four-match LaLiga suspension following his red card against Villarreal.
Four-match ban confirmed
- Vinicius was sent off during Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal after an incident involving Nathan Saliba.
- LaLiga’s Competition Committee judged the Brazilian to have pulled Saliba’s hair while the ball was not being contested.
- That action was punished with a two-game suspension as violent conduct.
- A further two matches were added for Vinicius’s protests towards referee Isidro Díaz de Mera.
- The total four-match penalty rules him out of the Spanish Clásico against Barcelona.
Madrid protests do not change outcome
José Mourinho had voiced objections to the prospect of a severe punishment, but the committee upheld a substantial sanction. Vinicius’s absence removes one of Madrid’s principal attacking outlets for a fixture that carries weight far beyond the capital, reaching supporters throughout Spain and across the continent.
