Overview
- On Saturday, Oct. 10, Vinícius Jr. had a goal overturned and received a straight red from referee Isidro Díaz de Mera after a VAR review found he pulled Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba's hair.
- The RFEF released the VAR audio in which match officials recommend a pitchside review and explicitly state that "Vinicius puxa o cabelo," corroborating the on-field decision.
- A direct red for violent conduct triggers an automatic suspension for the next LaLiga game and Real Madrid and Spanish outlets now expect the disciplinary committee to impose at least a two-match ban.
- The referee's match report says the hair-pull happened outside a ball dispute and records forceful protests by Vinícius that required teammates to restrain him, factors that could increase the length of the ban.
- Real Madrid must plan without one of its main attackers for upcoming domestic fixtures while Champions League availability remains unchanged unless UEFA opens separate action and the federation issues a formal ruling.