Vinícius Red Card Suspension: Clásico Doubt

Real Madrid are reportedly planning to challenge Vinícius Júnior’s red card, although accounts differ over the club’s expectations of success and the length of a likely suspension. Sports Mole, citing Marca, report that the club intends to appeal after the forward was sent off following a VAR review of his hair pull on Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba. AS, however, say Real Madrid sees little room to overturn the decision and expects a ban of at least two games, putting the Clásico in serious doubt.

The dismissal followed a disallowed goal during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Villarreal. The disciplinary case now centres less on whether the red card will stand than on the number of matches Vinícius could miss. Vinícius’s dismissal against Villarreal has already become a significant issue for Los Blancos, with the suspension decision still pending.

Red card decision leaves little room, AS report

The incident occurred in the 70th minute, during a counterattack. Vinícius pulled Saliba’s hair before the move ended with the Brazilian scoring; after a VAR review at the pitchside monitor, the referee disallowed the goal and showed him a straight red card.

AS describe the sending-off as clear, noting that the ball was not being contested when the hair pull happened. Its report says the referee’s account also records Vinícius’s protests after the decision and that teammates had to restrain him. Those details contribute to the club’s concern that the sanction could extend beyond two matches.

Real Madrid are frustrated by what they consider inconsistency in how similar incidents involving opponents have been treated. But the club’s reported intention to appeal should not be confused with confidence that the dismissal itself can be overturned. VAR reviews of disciplinary decisions can change the outcome on the pitch, as this one did, while leaving the length of a subsequent suspension to be settled separately.

Sevilla and Barcelona fixtures at centre of concern

AS expect Vinícius to miss Real Madrid’s LaLiga match against Sevilla on October 18 and say a two-game suspension would also rule him out of the trip to Barcelona on October 25. The forward would remain available for the Champions League visit to Roma on October 14, which falls between those league fixtures.

A longer suspension is a concern at the club, not a confirmed outcome. AS say Real Madrid fears the punishment could reach three or more matches, while Sports Mole’s account of a planned appeal presents the challenge as an attempt to limit the ban. The next league fixture listed after the Clásico is away to Racing Santander on November 1; Vinícius’s availability for that match depends on the final ruling.

The possibility of his absence gives the disciplinary decision particular weight ahead of the season’s first meeting with Barcelona. Barcelona’s upcoming Clásico with Real Madrid is scheduled for October 25, but the exact suspension and the status of any formal appeal have yet to be confirmed in the available reports.