Overview
- Vinicius was sent off after pulling the hair of Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba in the weekend match and later apologised on Instagram.
- On Wednesday the Spanish federation's disciplinary commission confirmed a four-match LaLiga suspension split into two matches for the red card and two for his aggressive protests toward the referee.
- The ban rules Vinicius out of the Clasico on 25 October and three other league games against Sevilla, Racing Santander and Valencia.
- The suspension applies only to domestic league fixtures so Vinicius remains available for upcoming Champions League ties such as Roma and RB Leipzig.
- Manager José Mourinho publicly urged patience for the player while young signing Yan Diomandé, who scored in the Villarreal game, looks set to press for Vinicius's place as Real try to arrest a drop in form that has left them fourth in LaLiga.