Official: Vinicius banned for four matches! Real Madrid star to miss El Clásico
The verdict is in, and it is even harsher than Real Madrid feared: Vinicius Junior has been suspended for four LaLiga matches for pulling Nathan Saliba's hair and for his aggressive reaction towards the referee.
Details: The Spanish federation's disciplinary committee announced the sanction on October 14, splitting it into two separate punishments: two matches for the act of violent conduct, namely the hair pull during the Villarreal game, and two additional matches for the aggressive protest directed at referee Isidro Díaz de Mera after the red card. As a result, the Brazilian will miss the league fixtures against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia.
The timing of the ruling could hardly be worse for the forward. Just hours before the announcement, reports in Brazil claimed that Vinicius had told his entourage the hair pull was accidental, insisting his hand simply got tangled in Saliba's hair as he ran past. The disciplinary committee clearly did not buy that version of events.
The ban hits the most brutal part of Real Madrid's calendar. Vinicius will sit out the home match against Sevilla on October 18, El Clásico at Barcelona's Camp Nou on October 25, the trip to Racing Santander on November 1 and the visit of Valencia. He remains eligible for the Champions League, where domestic suspensions do not apply.
For José Mourinho, the punishment strips away one of his most dangerous weapons ahead of the defining match of the season. The Portuguese coach had already seen Vinicius apologise publicly after the Villarreal game, and now he must rebuild his attack around Yan Diomande and Arda Güler, both of whom impressed in the Brazilian's absence.
It is worth noting that Real Madrid can still appeal the decision to the federation's appeals committee, though the referee's report was particularly damning, describing how Vinicius approached the official aggressively and had to be restrained by teammates. The club is expected to at least attempt to reduce the sanction before El Clásico.
Reminder: What really happened? Referee and VAR conversation behind Vinicius' red card revealed.
Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
