Vinicius Jr Receives Two-Game Ban After Red Card Incident

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has been handed a two-game suspension by the Spanish football federation‘s disciplinary committee following his red card in last week’s LaLiga match against Valencia. The incident occurred in the 79th minute when Vinicius struck Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, leading to his dismissal. Despite the setback, Real Madrid managed to secure a 2-1 victory with a late goal in added time.

The ban, which includes a €700 fine for the club and a €600 fine for the player, will see Vinicius miss league matches against Las Palmas and bottom-placed Almeria. However, he remains eligible to play in the Supercopa de España, where Real Madrid faces Mallorca in the semifinal on Thursday. The winners will advance to Sunday’s final against either Barcelona or Osasuna.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has publicly supported Vinicius, criticizing the decision and highlighting the challenges the Brazilian faces on the pitch. ‘We’re very happy with him,’ Ancelotti said. ‘When people talk about Vini provoking opponents, they’re deflecting the focus from the insults he receives. The ban isn’t correct.’

Vinicius, who finished second in the 2024 Ballon d'Or voting, has been a key player for Real Madrid this season, contributing 13 goals and nine assists in 21 appearances. Despite his on-field success, he has frequently been involved in controversies, including a previous red card against Valencia in May 2023 following racist abuse from fans.

Real Madrid has announced plans to appeal the suspension, arguing that the incident did not constitute ‘aggression.’ The club remains focused on their upcoming fixtures, including the Supercopa and their pursuit of domestic and European silverware.