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Vinicius Junior’s Red Card Incident
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior has been handed a two-game suspension following his red card in the victory over Valencia. The Brazilian was sent off for pushing Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, an action that the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) classified as “violent behaviour” rather than outright aggression.
Initially, Vinicius faced a potential four-game ban for violent conduct. However, the RFEF decided on a reduced penalty, citing provocation claims from the Real Madrid camp.
Matches Vinicius Will Miss
The suspension means Vinicius Junior will sit out La Liga clashes against Las Palmas and Real Valladolid. Nevertheless, he will be eligible to return for the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Mallorca.
Real Madrid’s Planned Appeal
Despite the reduced ban, Real Madrid is expected to appeal the verdict. Club officials believe the red card was unjustified, pointing to alleged provocations from Dimitrievski.
Alleged Provocation from Dimitrievski
According to reports from El Chiringuito, Dimitrievski began taunting Vinicius after the Real Madrid star did not take a penalty in the match, which was eventually missed by Jude Bellingham. The Valencia goalkeeper reportedly continued his attempts to provoke Vinicius throughout the game, leading to the altercation.
Racism Claims
Adding another layer to the controversy, Real Madrid is likely to argue that Vinicius was subjected to racist abuse from sections of the crowd moments before his clash with Dimitrievski. This claim could further influence the appeal process.
Conclusion
As Vinicius prepares to serve his suspension, Real Madrid remains determined to clear their player’s name, citing both on-field provocation and external factors. The outcome of their appeal could set a significant precedent in Spanish football.
