Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. has been handed a four-match La Liga suspension that rules him out of the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona. The ban was confirmed on Wednesday after the Brazilian was sent off during last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Vinicius came off the bench in the second half and thought he had doubled Real Madrid’s lead when he finished a quick counter-attack. Celebrations were already underway, with manager Jose Mourinho joining the players, when VAR intervened. The review showed Vinicius pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair in the build-up to the goal. Referee Isidro Diaz de Mera disallowed the effort and showed the 26-year-old a straight red card. Real Madrid held on with ten men to secure the three points, but the late drama set up a lengthy disciplinary process.
(More to follow)
