Vinicius Junior has been handed a four-match suspension by the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee. Following this, the Real Madrid star will miss the first El Clasico of the season against Barcelona, which is a big blow for the 15-time UEFA Champions League winners. The ban follows his red card for pulling an opponent’s hair during last Saturday’s 1-0 La Liga victory over Villarreal.
The incident occurred at the Santiago Bernabeu on 10 October and everyone had been talking about this situation including the talks of whether he should be banned or not. Vinicius, who entered the match as a substitute in the 52nd minute, appeared to score what would have been Real Madrid’s second goal in the 73rd minute. However, a VAR review showed that he had tugged hard on the hair of Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba while both players were sprinting during the build-up.
Real Madrid star banned for four games, including El Clasico vs FC Barcelona
Referee Isidro Diaz de Mera disallowed the goal and showed the Brazilian star a straight red card for violent conduct. The player looked agitated on the pitch following the incident as he reacted angrily to the decision. Match officials reported that he protested in an aggressive manner, raising his voice towards the referee and requiring teammates to restrain him as he left the pitch. Real Madrid held on with ten men to secure the three points thanks to an earlier goal.
Why a four-match ban for Vinicius?
On Wednesday 14 October, the disciplinary committee confirmed the sanction that everyone had been waiting for. This resulted in a two-match ban for violent conduct while not in a position to challenge for the ball, and a further two matches for his subsequent protests.
Hair-pulling is classified as violent conduct under Spanish football regulations. The disciplinary code allows for suspensions of between one and three matches for such offences when no injury is caused. The additional ban for aggressive dissent extended the total to four games, a harsher outcome than some observers had initially expected. Real Madrid are understood to have considered an appeal, though early indications suggested limited prospects of success once the referee’s detailed report and video evidence were taken into account.
Which are the matches Vinicius has been banned for?
The suspension rules him out of Real Madrid’s next four La Liga fixtures at home to Sevilla on 18 October, the away Clasico against Barcelona on 25 October at the Camp Nou, the trip to Racing Santander on 1 November, and the away match against Valencia on 7 November. The Los Blancos star is not expected to return to league action until after the November international break. The timing of the announcement drew sharp criticism from Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese coach has hit back at the occurrence in the middle of the football season.
Jose Mourinho blasts ‘shameless’ timing of Vinicius’ ban
Real Madrid coach is not entertained by the timing of the decision since it was made public only hours before the club’s Champions League fixture against Roma in Italy. Mourinho described the handling of the matter as “shameless.” After Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 comeback win over Roma, the manager said:
“Do you think it’s normal that a player from a Spanish team, who has to play a match that is also important for Spanish football, that two hours before the match a player knows he’s been given a four-match suspension?”
Mourinho added:
“Couldn’t they do it tomorrow morning?”
The former Benfica manager added:
“Do we have to come by bus and almost arrive at the stadium when we find out Vinicius has a four-match suspension? They do things shamelessly now.”
Vinicius himself later expressed frustration at learning of the ban upon arriving at the stadium for the Roma match. He stated that the ban was announced at the very wrong time. He added:
“They had all day to impose the ban, and I only found out when I arrived at the stadium.”
Vinicius also insisted that he had never committed a violent act against another player in the manner suggested. Immediately after the Villarreal match, the Brazil international posted a brief apology on social media, writing simply: “sorry to the team and the fans.”
Big blow for Real Madrid ahead of El Clasico
The absence represents a crucial blow for Real Madrid ahead of facing a very strong FC Barcelona in the first El Clasico of the season. The Brazilian winger remains one of the team’s most dynamic attackers and a key figure under Mourinho. His side currently sits fourth in La Liga, six points behind unbeaten leaders Barcelona, who have won all their opening matches. Missing the high-stakes Clasico at the Camp Nou deprives Mourinho of a player capable of unlocking tight defences in one of football’s fiercest rivalries.
The club must now prepare for the Sevilla match and the subsequent Clasico without one of their primary fixtures while the team already faces scrutiny. The blow adds to a turbulent period for Vinicius, who has frequently faced intense scrutiny and controversy throughout his career at the Bernabeu. The Madridistas will hope the enforced break allows him to return refreshed, while Mourinho faces the immediate challenge of finding alternative attacking combinations for a demanding run of fixtures.
As the first Clasico of the campaign approaches, attention will turn to how Real Madrid adapt without their Brazilian star and whether Barcelona can capitalise on their rivals’ misfortune to extend their lead at the top of the table. The team continues to find rhythm despite the high-profile signs ahead of the season and the coaching change from Carlo Ancelotti and Xabi Alonso to bringing back Mourinho. It remains to be seen whether it's the coach, the leadership, the players, Vinicius struggling to play with Kylian Mbappe, or the tactical issues.
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