Vinicius Jr will be sidelined for four matches following the rejection of Real Madrid’s appeals against his suspension. The disciplinary committee imposed the ban as a result of an incident during the recent match against Villarreal, where Vinicius was sent off for grabbing Saliba’s hair and subsequently protesting the referee’s decision.
The authorities concluded that since the ball was not in play during the altercation, the offense warranted a more severe punishment—a two-match ban instead of the usual one. Furthermore, his hostile reaction to the red card was deemed an “aggressive attitude,” leading to an additional two-match suspension. Consequently, Vinicius Jr will miss four key LaLiga fixtures: against Sevilla, Barcelona at Camp Nou, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
Impact on Real Madrid’s Campaign
With this ruling, Vinicius Jr will be absent from domestic league action until after the international break, returning for the matchday 13 clash against Celta, scheduled between November 20 and 23. This suspension means he will miss the highly anticipated El Clásico, a significant blow for both the player and the club.
Real Madrid has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the decision, labeling the punishment as disproportionate. The club argues that this outcome highlights broader issues within the current system, pointing to inconsistencies at various levels including refereeing and the disciplinary process. Despite their objections, the suspension stands firm, forcing the team to adapt without one of their key attackers for a considerable stretch of the season.
As Vinicius Jr turns his attention away from LaLiga for the next month, Real Madrid will be hoping to capitalize on their Champions League fixtures during this period. The absence of the Brazilian winger in crucial league matches underscores the challenges ahead for the reigning Spanish champions.