Real Madrid are appealing Vinícius Júnior’s four-match La Liga suspension, a decision that currently rules him out of four crucial league fixtures, including the highly anticipated El Clásico against Barcelona on October 25. The club’s initial challenge to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) disciplinary committee was rejected, prompting the further appeal.
Details of the Suspension
The ban was imposed following Vinícius Júnior’s dismissal during a recent match against Villarreal. The RFEF disciplinary committee handed down a two-match suspension for protests directed at the referee and an additional two matches for an off-the-ball incident. This incident involved the Brazilian forward pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair.
According to reports, the referee’s account stated that Vinícius pulled Saliba’s hair while the ball was not in dispute, a detail supported by video footage reviewed by the disciplinary committee. Real Madrid had argued that the contact could have been accidental and challenged the evidence, but these arguments were deemed insufficient to overturn the decision.
The four La Liga fixtures Vinícius Júnior is set to miss, pending the appeal’s outcome, are against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing de Santander, and Valencia. His availability for the El Clásico on October 25 is directly dependent on the success of Real Madrid’s appeal, which targets the overall four-match sanction.
Player and Coach Speak Out
Speaking after Real Madrid’s Champions League victory against Roma, Vinícius Júnior accused referees of treating him unfairly. He called for greater protection for attacking players, specifically naming Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez as examples of players who need such safeguarding. The forward denied using offensive language towards the official and expressed surprise at the length of his suspension.
Vinícius Júnior also highlighted what he perceives as a disparity in officiating, stating that attacking players often receive bookings despite being subjected to repeated fouls. He mentioned seeing statistics indicating he had received numerous fouls but only a few resulting in red cards for opponents, arguing that yellow cards frequently go to attacking players.
Real Madrid coach José Mourinho also voiced his concerns, questioning the timing of the ban’s announcement. Mourinho stated that the team learned of the suspension approximately two hours before their Champions League match against Roma, while they were on the bus en route to the stadium. He described the timing as unusual for a player preparing for an important fixture.
Impact on Key Fixtures
Should the appeal not overturn the verdict, Vinícius Júnior’s next La Liga appearance would be after the November international break. His absence will be a significant factor for Real Madrid in these upcoming league encounters, particularly the crucial El Clásico. The Brazilian forward has not scored for Real Madrid since August, and his return to form will be keenly awaited once his availability is confirmed.