Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr will sit out El Clasico against Barcelona after receiving a four-match suspension stemming from his dismissal in the club's 1-0 victory over Villarreal last Saturday.
The Brazil international was sent off for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair during the match. His absence will extend across four fixtures: Sevilla on 18 October, Barcelona on 25 October, Racing Santander on 1 November, and Valencia on 7 November.
Vinicius entered the contest after 52 minutes and appeared to have doubled Real Madrid's lead. The referee, however, consulted the pitchside monitor and observed him pulling Saliba's hair in the build-up to the goal, leading to the dismissal and the goal being overturned.
How the disciplinary decision was reached
Spain's football federation disciplinary committee imposed a two-game suspension for violent conduct while not attempting to challenge for the ball, plus an additional two matches for protesting the officials' decision. According to reporting on the disciplinary process, the committee rejected Real Madrid's arguments against the red card, stating the footage "clearly showed a hair pull."
Mourinho's criticism of the announcement timing
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho did not attend the post-match press conference following the Villarreal game. His frustration intensified when the suspension was announced on Wednesday, approximately two hours before the club's Champions League fixture against Roma. According to Mourinho's response to the timing, he described the situation as "without shame," criticizing the federation for releasing the decision at such a disruptive moment in the club's schedule.
What does the suspension cover?
The ban applies exclusively to domestic competitions, meaning Vinicius remains eligible for Madrid's Champions League matches during the suspension period. According to details of the competition restrictions, Vinicius is available for Madrid's European fixtures against RB Leipzig on 21 October and AEK Athens on 4 November.
What happens with the appeal?
Real Madrid has indicated it will challenge the suspension. The club's appeal could potentially reduce the length of Vinicius's absence, though the outcome remains uncertain. The appeal process will determine whether he serves the complete four-match ban or a reduced suspension.
Vinicius issued an apology through social media following the incident, expressing regret to both the team and Real Madrid's supporters for his actions during the match.
Key Facts
- Vinicius Jr received a four-game domestic suspension for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair and protesting the decision
- The ban covers La Liga fixtures but not Champions League competitions
- Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho criticized the timing of the suspension announcement, which came hours before a Champions League match
- The club plans to appeal the suspension in an attempt to overturn or reduce the ban
- Vinicius will miss the El Clasico against Barcelona on 25 October
