Appeal rejected

On Friday, 16 October, the RFEF Appeals Committee rejected Real Madrid's appeal against the four-match suspension given to Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian forward was sent off in the 73rd minute of the league match against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, 10 October, after pulling the hair of Villarreal player Nathan Saliba. The same move had produced a goal for him, which was disallowed. On Wednesday, 14 October, the RFEF Disciplinary Committee imposed two matches for violent conduct off the ball and two more for protesting the referee's decision. NewsIT reports that fines of 2,600 euros were also confirmed.

Club's arguments rejected

Real Madrid argued that the images showed only accidental contact between Vinícius's hand and Saliba's hair and headband during a tussle, that the action carried no physical risk, and that the referee had not identified any concrete verbal protest. The committee disagreed on each point.

“The images show the hair pull, and the explanations offered by the club do not undermine the certainty of the referee's account.”

The committee also held that the absence of medical assistance or injury did not remove the risk created by the action. The match report described Vinícius continuing to protest after his dismissal, moving aggressively toward the referee's area and having to be held back by teammates.

Four league matches missed

Vinícius will miss four league fixtures: Sevilla at the Bernabéu on Sunday, 18 October, the Clásico at Camp Nou against Barcelona on 25 October, Racing Santander on 1 November, and Valencia at Mestalla on 7 November. The Clásico is the first of the season that he will miss, according to The New York Times. The Times also reports one goal and three assists in ten appearances across all competitions this season. La Vanguardia expects him to return after the November international break, possibly against Celta on 21 or 22 November.

What comes next

Sources differ on the next step. La Vanguardia and The New York Times say Real Madrid will take the case to the Administrative Sports Tribunal, the body attached to Spain's National Sports Council that acts independently. in.gr and NewsIT instead expect the club to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Until a further appeal succeeds, the four-match ban stands, and the club's next league match after Sevilla is the Clásico on 25 October without the forward.