Vinicius Junior Four-Match Ban Upheld: Real Madrid Star to Miss El Clasico
Vinicius Junior ban El Clasico news: Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior will miss the first El Clasico of the season after the RFEF Appeals Committee upheld his four-match LaLiga ban. The decision closed the first appeal by Real Madrid against the punishment and left the Brazil forward facing four league matches on the sidelines.
The ban covers league matches against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia. Unless a further appeal changes the outcome, Vinicius Junior will miss El Clasico against Barcelona on 25 October.
What Happened Against Villarreal
The punishment followed the LaLiga match between Real Madrid and Villarreal on 10 October, which Real Madrid won 1-0. Vinicius Junior entered the match as a substitute in the second half and had a goal ruled out by VAR before the incident that led to the red card.
The referee dismissed Vinicius Junior after a VAR review for pulling the hair of Villarreal player Nathan Saliba. The disciplinary authorities then split the punishment into two parts: two matches for the hair-pulling incident and two more matches for the reaction of Vinicius Junior toward the referee after the dismissal.
The committee found that the ball was not being contested between the players when the hair-pulling incident took place. That finding shaped the severity of the first part of the ban. The reaction after the dismissal was judged as aggressive conduct, which produced the second part of the ban.
Why the Appeal Failed
Real Madrid challenged the punishment and argued that the ban was too heavy. The club wanted the disciplinary authorities to judge the hair-pulling incident under a less serious article and also questioned the additional punishment for the reaction toward the referee.
The Appeals Committee rejected those arguments. The committee held that the available footage supported the account of the referee, including the finding that Vinicius Junior approached the official in an aggressive manner after the dismissal and that teammates had to intervene. With the appeal rejected, the full four-match ban stayed in place.
Which Matches Vinicius Junior Will Miss
The ban applies to four LaLiga fixtures. The list starts with the match against Sevilla and continues with the trip to Barcelona for El Clasico on 25 October. Racing Santander and Valencia complete the list of four matches.
- Sevilla
- Barcelona, El Clasico, 25 October, away
- Racing Santander
- Valencia
The order of the fixtures matters little beside the main point: Real Madrid must face the biggest domestic fixture of the season without one of the most important attacking players in the squad.
Vinicius Junior Ban El Clasico: What It Means for Real Madrid
The timing is painful for Real Madrid. El Clasico is the biggest domestic fixture of the season, and Vinicius Junior brings pace, dribbling and chance creation that few players in the squad can match. His absence will force a change in attack for four league matches.
Form has been modest by the standards of Vinicius Junior. He had recorded one goal and three assists across ten appearances in LaLiga and the Champions League this season. Even so, his ability to unsettle defenders remains a major weapon, above all against opposition of the quality of Barcelona.
One point works in favour of Real Madrid. The ban applies only to domestic league matches, so Vinicius Junior remains available for Champions League fixtures. He featured in the 4-3 Champions League win over Roma on 14 October while the domestic case continued, and the squad showed attacking depth in that match.
Vinicius Junior reacted with surprise after the Roma match and denied using offensive language toward the referee. The denial did not change the view of the disciplinary authorities, who stood by the account in the report of the referee.
What Happens Next
Real Madrid are expected to take the case to the Administrative Sports Tribunal, known as TAD, in one more attempt to overturn or reduce the punishment. Until that body rules, the four-match ban stands and Vinicius Junior stays out of league action.
The coach of Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho, had already criticised the timing of the original ruling, which arrived shortly before the Champions League match against Roma. The latest decision adds more pressure around a case that has already shaped the early weeks of the season.
Key Facts
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Player | Vinicius Junior |
| Club | Real Madrid |
| Ban | Four LaLiga matches |
| Ban split | Two matches for the hair-pulling incident, two matches for the reaction toward the referee |
| Opponent in the incident | Villarreal, 10 October |
| Appeal body | RFEF Appeals Committee |
| Appeal result | Rejected, full ban upheld |
| Matches missed | Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, Valencia |
| Next step | Possible further appeal to TAD |
Conclusion
The appeal decision leaves Real Madrid without one of the most important attacking players for four league matches, including El Clasico. The club still has one more legal route open through TAD, but for now the ban stands. The next days will show whether that final appeal can change the picture before the trip to Barcelona.
FAQs
Why did Vinicius Junior receive a four-match ban?
The ban had two parts. Two matches were for pulling the hair of Nathan Saliba during the match against Villarreal. Two more matches were for the reaction of Vinicius Junior toward the referee after the red card.
Which matches will Vinicius Junior miss?
The four matches are against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander and Valencia. The Barcelona match is El Clasico on 25 October.
Can Real Madrid appeal again?
Yes. Real Madrid are expected to take the case to the Administrative Sports Tribunal, known as TAD. Until that body rules, the ban remains in force.
Can Vinicius Junior still play in the Champions League?
Yes. The ban applies only to LaLiga matches, so Vinicius Junior remains available for Real Madrid in the Champions League.
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