Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has been handed a four-match suspension, ruling him out of key fixtures including the season’s first El Clasico against Barcelona on October 25. While the ban is a major blow, manager Jose Mourinho is particularly incensed by the timing of the announcement rather than the penalty itself. He contends that releasing such news only hours before a crucial match creates undue psychological pressure on the team.
The Incident and Disciplinary Action
- The suspension stems from a 1-0 win against Villarreal last Saturday, where Vinicius, a 52nd-minute substitute, was shown a red card after VAR confirmed he pulled the hair of opponent Nathan Saliba.
- His goal in that match was disallowed following the infraction.
- The Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee imposed a four-match ban: two matches for violent conduct, as he was not in a position to contest the ball, and an additional two for protesting against match officials.
Mourinho’s Reaction
Following Real Madrid’s dramatic 4-3 victory over Roma in the Champions League, Mourinho voiced his frustration at the press conference. He questioned why the decision could not have been communicated the following morning, arguing it is disrespectful to inform a team of such sanctions just before they play a match vital to the prestige and ranking of Spanish football. Mourinho condemned the handling of the announcement, stating, “Now they are doing these things shamelessly.”
Matches Affected
As a result of this disciplinary ruling, the Brazilian star will miss the upcoming games against Sevilla, Barcelona, Racing Santander, and Valencia.
