Red card and disallowed goal

Vinícius Júnior scored the goal that made it 2-0 for Real Madrid against Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu on 10 October, but a VAR review changed the outcome. Referee Isidro Díaz de Mera disallowed the goal and sent the Brazilian off in the 73rd minute for what the match report describes as pulling the hair of a Villarreal defender seconds before the goal. Most outlets name that defender as Saliba, although Europa Press names Renato Veiga. Teammates had to hold Vinícius back as he protested, and he left the pitch in a furious state. The referee wrote that he could not make out any specific words the player said to him.

The referee's report

Díaz de Mera's match report describes the protests in detail. After his dismissal, while still on the pitch, the forward kept arguing the decision, and the referee recorded his words in the report.

he continued to protest my decision at the top of his voice, moving toward the area where I was with an aggressive attitude.

DAZN later published part of the exchange in which the player complained about the decision, including a question asking why the referee was doing that. The sanction draws on the same two incidents, the hair-pull and the protests that followed the dismissal.

Sanction and its basis

The RFEF disciplinary body announced a four-match suspension on Wednesday, 14 October, under articles 130.2 and 127 of the federation's disciplinary code. Two matches cover violent conduct off the ball, when the player is not in a position to contest the ball or a stoppage, and two cover protests against the referee. Europa Press credits the RFEF's disciplinary committee with the decision, while La Vanguardia attributes it to the refereeing committee (CTA).

Real Madrid's appeal

Real Madrid filed its appeal on Tuesday, 13 October, arguing that the referee had made a material error. According to the club, the images show no hair-pulling, only accidental contact between a hand and the hair and headband during a scuffle. The club also argued that the play was still live and that Vinícius could contest the ball, as his later involvement in the move that ended in a goal showed. La Vanguardia reports that the refereeing committee did not consider these arguments.

Matches he will miss

The ban rules Vinícius out of the home match against Sevilla at the Bernabéu on Sunday, 18 October, with a 21:00 kick-off according to El País. He will also miss the Clásico at Camp Nou against Barcelona on 25 October, the match at Racing in Santander on 1 November and the trip to Mestalla to face Valencia on 7 November. He learned of the sanction while travelling to Rome for a Champions League match against the hosts.