Vinicius Jr Set to Miss El Clasico Following Red Card Against Villarreal
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Vinicius Jr faces a 90% chance of missing El Clasico after receiving a direct red card against Villarreal under Article 121 of La Liga rules. Full details.
El Clasico Threatens Vinicius Jr: Impending Suspension Shadows Brazilian Star Ahead of Barcelona Clash
The participation of Brazilian star Vinicius Jr, winger for Real Madrid, in the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona hangs by a thread following his direct red card against Villarreal in La Liga. The controversial incident leaves the Royal Club facing a major tactical conundrum ahead of the high-stakes showdown.
Media Reports: Brazilian Star 90% Likely to Miss El Clasico
According to Spanish publication «AS», the odds of the Brazilian star missing the clash against the Blaugrana stand at 90%, given clear expectations of a minimum two-match ban under league regulations.
The penalty stems from an off-the-ball incident in which he pulled the hair of Villarreal defender William Saliba without any attempt to play the ball.
While the final ruling depends on referee Diaz de Mera Escuderos' official match report regarding the protests following the incident, the timeline—with Real Madrid playing only two La Liga fixtures before facing Barcelona—offers little hope for Los Blancos.
Behind the Scenes: VAR Intervention and Direct Red Card
The pivotal moment occurred in the 70th minute when Real Madrid launched a swift counter-attack. Vinicius engaged in an unsporting action by pulling Saliba's hair to impede his run while away from the ball.
Although play initially continued and resulted in a goal for Madrid, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) called the referee to review the incident on the pitchside monitor. Upon review, the goal was disallowed, and a direct red card was issued to the Brazilian star amidst heavy protests.
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Article 121 Enforces Suspension as Appeal Hopes Fade
Legal sources cited by the Spanish outlet confirmed that Article 121 of the disciplinary code applies to this scenario, mandating a minimum two-match suspension for offenses committed away from active play.
Former referee and rules analyst for «AS» and «Cadena SER», Iturralde Gonzalez, noted that Real Madrid's chances of a successful appeal are minimal due to the clear nature of the off-the-ball offense.
Under the anticipated minimum sanction, Vinicius will miss the upcoming match against Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu, followed by the El Clasico against Barcelona. His potential return to league action would come against Racing Santander, provided the referee's report contains no additional details regarding verbal abuse that could lengthen the ban.
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