Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will miss the next four Spanish league fixtures, including the highly anticipated clash with Barcelona, after being handed a four-match suspension. The Spanish federation’s disciplinary committee announced the ban on Wednesday. The Brazilian, who also goes by Vini Jr, was sanctioned over a red card he received in a La Liga game.
The four matches include the October 25 El Clasico against fierce rivals and league champions Barcelona. The committee said the punishment covers both the dismissal and the protests that followed the red card. The sanction was issued after his dismissal against Villarreal last week for pulling an opponent’s hair.
Goal disallowed after video review at Villarreal
Vinicius believed he had scored Real’s second goal on Saturday before a video assistant referee review found he should have been dismissed for pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair in the build-up. Referee Isidro Diaz de Mera disallowed the goal and showed him a red card.
He had come on in the 52nd minute and was sent off 20 minutes later. Real manager Jose Mourinho had run over to join the celebrations when the goal was given, but the decision left the forward furious. He screamed at Diaz de Mera while his teammates tried to calm him as he left the field.
Vinicius apologises to team and supporters
After the match, Vinicius posted on social media to address his conduct. He wrote that he was sorry to the team and the fans. The ban will keep him out of several matches, including the trip to face league leaders Barca.
