Vinicius Junior red-card decisions renew questions over La Liga consistency

Vinicius Junior has been sent off for pulling an opponent’s hair in a decision that has revived debate over the contrasting treatment of two similar incidents involving the Real Madrid forward.

The Brazil international was dismissed during Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal on Wednesday after VAR showed him pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair during an incident away from the ball. The goal he believed had put Real Madrid 2-0 ahead was subsequently ruled out.

The decision came almost two years after an incident at Mestalla in January 2025, when Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski pulled Vinicius’ hair from behind but avoided a second yellow card, despite already being booked. Vinicius was instead shown a straight red for pushing the goalkeeper in response.

The earlier incident occurred while the score between Valencia and Real Madrid was still in the balance and tensions were high. Vinicius had appealed for a foul inside the penalty area before falling to the ground. Dimitrievski approached from behind and pulled his braids, prompting Vinicius to push him and send the goalkeeper to the turf.

A confrontation between players from both teams quickly followed. Referee Cesar Soto Grado initially showed yellow cards to the players involved, but VAR then asked him to review Vinicius’ reaction.

After viewing the footage, Soto Grado changed his decision and issued Vinicius with a direct red card. Dimitrievski, who was already at risk of being sent off, was not shown a second yellow for the hair-pulling incident that had preceded the Brazilian’s reaction.

The dismissal further heightened the tension. Vinicius protested angrily and confronted Soto Grado, forcing Antonio Rudiger and members of the Real Madrid coaching staff to restrain him and escort him towards the dressing room.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti questioned the decision after the match, saying the incident could have been dealt with by showing both players a yellow card. Vinicius later apologised for his reaction on social media and thanked his team-mates for their efforts in securing the victory.

A similar sequence unfolded in Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal, although the refereeing decision went against Vinicius in a different way. He initially believed he had scored his side’s second goal, but his celebration turned to confusion when VAR referred referee Isidro Diaz de Mera to an earlier incident.

Television replays showed Vinicius pulling Nathan Saliba’s hair while the two players were not contesting the ball. Diaz de Mera ruled out the goal and sent off the Real Madrid player with a direct red card.

Vinicius protested the decision before his team-mates intervened to calm him as he left the pitch. Rudiger again took responsibility for accompanying him away from the field.