Real Madrid to appeal Vinícius Júnior red card as Clásico ban looms
Appeal planned but confidence low over overturning dismissal
Real Madrid are reportedly planning to challenge Vinícius Júnior’s red card from the 1-0 win over Villarreal, 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 disciplinary case now centres less on whether the red card will stand than on the number of matches Vinícius could miss. The dismissal followed a disallowed goal during Real Madrid’s 1-0 win over Villarreal, and the suspension decision is still pending.
How the sending-off unfolded
The incident occurred in the 70th minute, during a counterattack. Vinícius Júnior 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.
Fixtures at risk
AS expect Vinícius Júnior to miss Real Madrid’s LaLiga match against Sevilla on 18 October and say a two-game suspension would also rule him out of the trip to Barcelona on 25 October. The forward would remain available for the Champions League visit to Roma on 14 October, 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 1 November; Vinícius Júnior’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.