Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has been handed a four-match La Liga suspension, ruling him out of the upcoming El Clásico against Barcelona on October 25.
The Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee imposed the suspension following the Brazilian winger’s red card during Real Madrid’s league match against Villarreal. The decision was later upheld by the RFEF Appeals Committee on October 16, meaning Vinicius remains suspended for the Barcelona clash unless a further appeal changes the outcome.
Why Was Vinicius Suspended?
Vinicius was sent off after a VAR review during Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal.
The forward had appeared to score for Real Madrid, but the goal was subsequently ruled out after VAR identified an incident in which Vinicius pulled Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba’s hair while the ball was not being contested between the two players.
The referee, Isidro Díaz de Mera, subsequently showed Vinicius a straight red card.
The disciplinary committee handed him two matches for the hair-pulling incident and another two matches for his reaction toward the referee after the dismissal.
Vinicius had to be restrained by teammates as he protested the decision before eventually leaving the pitch.
He later apologised to his teammates and Real Madrid supporters for the incident.
Vinicius Will Miss El Clásico
The suspension covers Real Madrid's next four La Liga fixtures:
• Sevilla – October 18
• Barcelona – October 25
• Racing Santander – November 1
• Valencia – November 7
The Barcelona fixture is the biggest absence because it is the first El Clásico of the season and will take place at Spotify Camp Nou.
The suspension applies to La Liga matches, meaning Vinicius is still eligible to play in Real Madrid's Champions League fixtures during the period of his domestic ban.
Real Madrid's Appeal Rejected
Real Madrid challenged the original four-match suspension, but the RFEF Appeals Committee rejected the club's appeal on Friday, October 16.
The committee maintained both two-match punishments, leaving Vinicius suspended for the El Clásico.
Real Madrid can now pursue another appeal through Spain's Administrative Sports Tribunal in an attempt to have the punishment reduced or suspended.
Unless that process changes the decision, Vinicius will not be available when Real Madrid travel to face Barcelona on October 25.
A Major Absence for Real Madrid
Vinicius' suspension comes at an important point in Real Madrid's season.
The Brazilian is one of the club's primary attacking players, and his absence removes one of Madrid's biggest threats from the fixture against Barcelona.
The match will also be José Mourinho's first El Clásico as Real Madrid manager since returning to the club this summer.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have started the campaign strongly and were reported to have won their first 10 matches across all competitions at the time of the original suspension announcement.
With Vinicius unavailable, Real Madrid will have to find another attacking solution for one of the most watched fixtures on the Spanish football calendar.
Vinicius' Return
If the four-match suspension remains unchanged, Vinicius' next opportunity to play in La Liga will come after the November international break, with Real Madrid scheduled to face Celta Vigo around November 21–22.
For now, however, the confirmed position is clear: Vinicius Junior will miss El Clásico after his four-match ban was upheld on appeal.
