Vinicius Junior faces Barcelona absence after Real Madrid red card

Vinicius Junior could miss Real Madrid’s meeting with Barcelona after the referee’s report described his reaction to being sent off against Villarreal as aggressive.

Real Madrid won 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, but Vinicius was shown a red card in the 73rd minute after pulling the hair of an opposing player. He had just scored, although the goal was disallowed because of the foul.

Referee Diaz de Mera explained the decision in his report, published by Marca.

“Vinicius was sent off for pulling an opponent’s hair while the ball was in play, without the ball being contested between them,” he wrote.

The referee also detailed the player’s conduct after the decision.

“In the 73rd minute, after play had been stopped, the number seven of the home team, Vinicius, continued to protest my decision loudly and moved towards the area where I was standing in an aggressive manner after being sent off, while he was still on the field,” the report stated.

“His team-mates had to hold him back, although I was unable to identify any specific words that he said.”

The wording of the report could lead to a suspension of more than one match. Real Madrid have only one La Liga fixture, against Sevilla, before they face Barcelona on 25 October.

If Vinicius receives a two-match ban or longer, he would therefore miss the clasico at Camp Nou.

The Technical Committee of Referees’ protocol in Spain classifies hair-pulling as violent conduct. That category covers using excessive force or violence against an opponent or another person when the ball is not being contested, and specifically includes pulling an opponent’s hair.

Such offences often result in suspensions beyond a single match, increasing the possibility that the Brazil international will be unavailable for Real Madrid’s game against Barcelona. A final decision on the punishment is still awaited.

Vinicius was not the only person sanctioned during a tense game, which featured repeated protests over refereeing decisions. Jose Mourinho was shown a yellow card, while Real Madrid goalkeeping coach Nuno Santos was sent off.

Villarreal official Chesco Nadal was also dismissed.

The victory ended Real Madrid’s run of results following their 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby. It moved them to 18 points and third place in La Liga, one point behind second-placed Atletico and six behind leaders Barcelona.

Villarreal remain on eight points in 10th place.