Vinicius Junior red card sparks fresh debate over consistency of Spanish refereeing

Vinicius Junior’s dismissal against Villarreal has prompted renewed controversy around Real Madrid, with people close to the Brazil forward questioning whether disciplinary decisions are being applied consistently.

The incident occurred after Vinicius was judged to have pulled the hair of Nathan Saliba. His goal was subsequently disallowed and he was shown a red card, a decision that has drawn criticism from members of his family and his circle of friends.

According to French website Foot Mercato, citing Spanish newspaper Marca, one person close to the Real Madrid number seven accepted that the laws of the game could justify the referee’s decision. However, they questioned whether the same standards had been applied in an earlier incident involving Valencia.

“The rule is fair, but have they forgotten what happened against Valencia?” the source said.

The comment reflects the sense of grievance surrounding the decision at Real Madrid, where concerns have grown over the consistency of refereeing standards in La Liga.

Vinicius could now face a suspension, which would put his involvement in the much-anticipated El Clasico against Barcelona at risk. His dismissal has therefore become a major talking point at Real Madrid and across the Spanish media.