Vinicius apologises for hair-pull red card but could miss El Clasico | Football
Vinicius Jr. Apologizes After Red Card Incident in Real Madrid Victory
By Reuters and The Associated Press
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. has issued an apology to his teammates and fans following his red card in the club’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal in La Liga on October 10. The Brazilian now faces a potential suspension that could sideline him for up to three games, including a crucial match against FC Barcelona.
Vinicius, who entered the game in the 52nd minute, believed he had scored Real’s second goal shortly afterward. However, a review by the video assistant referee (VAR) determined that he had committed a foul by pulling the hair of Villarreal defender Nathan Saliba, leading to the disallowance of the goal and his subsequent dismissal.
After the match, Vinicius expressed his remorse on social media, stating, “sorry to the team and the fans.” Tensions escalated as he protested the referee’s decision, drawing the attention of match official Isidro Diaz de Mera, who ultimately sent him off.
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho had just joined the celebrations following Vinicius’s disallowed goal when the unexpected turn of events occurred. Following the incident, Vinicius was visibly upset, yelling at Diaz de Mera while teammates attempted to calm him as he left the pitch.
Juan Foyth, a defender for Villarreal, commented on the incident, acknowledging, “I don’t think he meant to hurt anyone, but it is a red card.” Diaz de Mera noted in his match report that Vinicius had reacted aggressively after receiving the red card, requiring restraint from his teammates.
According to Royal Spanish Football Federation regulations, pulling an opponent’s hair is classified as violent conduct. The penalty for such actions, when no injury occurs, can result in a suspension ranging from one to three matches.
Real Madrid’s upcoming La Liga fixtures include games against Sevilla, Barcelona, and Racing Santander. Missing the El Clasico would be a significant setback for Vinicius, who is a vital contributor to the team’s efforts this season. Mourinho did not attend the mandatory post-game press conference.
