Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will miss the upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona on October 25 after receiving a four-match suspension following his dismissal during Saturday’s 1-0 LaLiga victory over Villarreal.
The Brazilian was sanctioned by the Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) Disciplinary Committee on Wednesday, October 14, ruling him out of four domestic fixtures, including the highly anticipated clash at Camp Nou.
The punishment represents a significant setback for Jose Mourinho’s side, who are already trailing Barcelona by six points in the LaLiga standings. A defeat against their arch-rivals could widen the gap to nine points, placing further pressure on Real Madrid in the early stages of the campaign.
The RFEF’s disciplinary decision cited two separate offences in explaining the suspension, with two matches imposed for the hair-pulling incident and another two for his subsequent protests. The ruling means Vinicius will miss matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia.
The Brazilian was sent off in the 70th minute of Saturday’s encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu after a VAR review revealed that he had pulled Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba’s hair during a counterattack. The incident preceded a goal that was subsequently disallowed following the referee’s intervention.
Vinicius had entered the match from the bench and spent only about 20 minutes on the pitch before receiving his marching orders. His dismissal came during a game Real Madrid eventually won 1-0, but the disciplinary consequences have now extended beyond the immediate contest.
The suspension is particularly damaging given the timing of El Clásico, with Real Madrid scheduled to travel to Barcelona in a crucial fixture that could significantly influence the early title race.
Despite the ban, Vinicius will remain available for European competition, meaning he can feature in Wednesday’s Champions League meeting with Roma.
Hair-pulling incident and protests lead to four-match ban
The disciplinary committee considered both the initial incident involving Saliba and Vinicius’s conduct after the referee showed him a straight red card.
The match official’s report described the hair-pulling incident as occurring when the ball was not in dispute between the two players. That distinction was important in determining the punishment, as the applicable disciplinary provisions allow for a minimum two-match suspension when a player is sent off for an incident in which there was no possibility of challenging for the ball.
The 26-year-old was also punished for his reaction to the dismissal. According to the report, his protests amounted to “an aggressive attitude” that required teammates to restrain him. His confrontation with match officials contributed to the additional two-match suspension.
The Brazilian was visibly furious following the decision and was reported to have pushed LaLiga’s match director while directing an insulting remark at the league.
Real Madrid had hoped the disciplinary authorities would show leniency, particularly regarding his reaction to the red card, but their expectations were not met.
The club considers the punishment excessive and is “unhappy” with the disciplinary process.
However, the decision leaves Vinicius facing an extended absence from domestic football unless an appeal changes the outcome.
Madrid face major test without influential forward
Vinicius’s absence presents Mourinho with a selection challenge ahead of a demanding run of fixtures. Although the 26-year-old has recorded just one goal and three assists in LaLiga this season, his attacking ability and experience remain important assets for the Spanish giants.
Real Madrid must now prepare for Sevilla before travelling to Camp Nou, where Barcelona will have an opportunity to strengthen their position at the top of the table. The prospect of falling nine points behind their rivals makes the match especially important for Mourinho’s team.
Following the Barcelona fixture, Vinicius will also be unavailable against Racing Santander and Valencia. His return to domestic action is expected to come against Celta Vigo in November, subject to the final scheduling of that fixture.
While Real Madrid can still call upon Vinicius in the Champions League during his domestic suspension, his absence from El Clásico is the immediate concern. With the title race already taking shape, losing one of their most recognisable attacking players for such a pivotal encounter could prove costly for the capital club.
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