Vinicius Junior Receives Four-Match Ban For Hair-Pull Red Card
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will miss the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona after receiving a four-match suspension from the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee, bbc.com reported. The sanction follows his red card during a 1-0 victory over Villarreal on October 10, 2026, where the Brazilian international was dismissed for pulling the hair of opponent Nathan Saliba.
Referee Disallows Goal and Issues Red Card After VAR Review
Vinicius entered the match as a 52nd-minute substitute and initially believed he had doubled his side’s lead with a first-time finish following teenager Yan Diomande’s opening goal, according to thenationalnews.com. However, referee Isidro Diaz de Mera Escuderos reviewed the build-up on the pitchside monitor after a prompt from the video assistant referee (VAR). The footage showed the forward pulling Saliba’s hair before scoring, leading to the goal being disallowed and a straight red card shown 20 minutes after his introduction.
The Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee divided the four-game penalty into two distinct infractions. Winger Vinicius received a two-match ban for “behaving violently … (while) not being in a position to challenge for the ball” and an additional two matches for protesting against the match officials, bbc.com reported.
Upcoming Fixtures Affected By The Suspension
The suspension applies across domestic league play, sidelining the forward for four consecutive La Liga fixtures. According to aljazeera.com, the missed matches include:
- Sevilla on October 18, 2026
- Barcelona on October 25, 2026
- Racing Santander on November 1, 2026
- Valencia on November 7, 2026
Reactions From Manager And Player
The dismissal sparked chaotic scenes at the Santiago Bernabeu as Real Madrid players surrounded referee Diaz de Mera. Manager Jose Mourinho earned a yellow card for his protests during the match and subsequently skipped the post-match news conference, bbc.com noted. Vinicius later addressed the incident on social media, posting a message stating he was “sorry to the team and the [Real Madrid] fans.”
Frequently Asked Questions About The Suspension
When does Vinicius Junior return to La Liga action for Real Madrid?
Following his four-game suspension, Vinicius is eligible to return for Real Madrid’s domestic league fixture following the matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
Which match is the most notable fixture Vinicius will miss?
The Brazilian forward will miss the October 25 El Clasico against league champions and fierce rivals Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
What specific infractions triggered the four-match ban?
The Spanish football federation issued two games for violent conduct during a non-challenge phase of play involving Nathan Saliba, plus two additional matches for protesting against the match officials.
Vinícius Júnior has been suspended for four games, including the first ElClásico of the season, after being red-carded for pulling an opponent's hair during his team's win over Villarreal on Saturday.More:https://t.co/ifjQ2v1SYu pic.twitter.com/yr53FfSp9Q
Worth a look