Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has criticized Spanish football authorities after receiving a four-match suspension that will prevent him from playing in the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona. The announcement of the ban came just moments before kick-off in their Champions League match against Roma, leaving the player frustrated and questioning the timing and clarity of the decision.
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The ban, issued by the Spanish football federation, followed Vinicius' red card from the previous weekend’s match against Villarreal. This news reached the Real Madrid team shortly before their clash with Roma, unsettling Vinicius during the game. He struggled to find his rhythm, contributing to the team's early difficulties, but Real Madrid eventually mounted an incredible comeback to win 4-3.
After the match, both Vinicius and his manager, José Mourinho, expressed their dissatisfaction with the late announcement of the suspension. Vinicius stated, "I only heard about it at the stadium. I think the ban came at a bad time. They had all day to announce the suspension and just as I get to the stadium, I get the message that I’m going to miss four La Liga games." He also noted a lack of communication regarding the new disciplinary rules, saying, "Nobody told us about it."
Mourinho criticized the timing as well, suggesting that the federation could have delayed the announcement until after the match, asking reporters, "Couldn't they do it tomorrow morning?" He expressed disbelief that a player would be informed of a significant ban so close to the start of a crucial match.
The suspension results from an incident during the match against Villarreal when Vinicius was sent off for pulling the hair of an opponent after a VAR-reviewed goal was disallowed. The disciplinary authorities imposed a two-match ban for violent conduct and added two more games for Vinicius' protests during the situation.
Despite apologizing to fans on social media, Vinicius maintained his belief that he has not committed violent acts on the pitch and that he often finds himself on the receiving end of fouls. "It’s very easy… because all the other fans can say it was the right decision. But I’ve never committed a violent act against another player. I’ve always kept a cool head."
Vinicius’ absence poses a tactical challenge for Mourinho as Real Madrid prepares for key La Liga matches, including a significant fixture against Sevilla on October 18 and the El Clasico on October 25.