Real Madrid have qualified for the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey, but the attention is on Vínicius, awaiting the decision of the disciplinary committee after his expulsion against Valencia.
The incident that occurred during the match between Real Madrid and Valencia had a strong impact. Vinícius Júnior was sent off in the 79th minute for a controversial gesture on Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. The Brazilian was penalized after violently shoving the goalkeeper while the ball was still. The referee, César Soto Grado, described the incident as a deliberate attack on the opponent’s head, specifying that Vinícius had used “a significant force”.
This expulsion could have serious consequences for Vinícius, who could face a suspension of between 4 and 12 matches if the disciplinary committee classifies his action as an attack, under article 103 of the Spanish Federation regulations. The use of VAR during the match allowed the referee to review the incident and make this harsh decision.
The player reacted angrily after the sending off, having to be restrained by his teammates before leaving the field. This added another layer of controversy, especially in an already tense context for Vinícius, who is frequently the victim of racist insults from opposing supporters. In previous matches, notably at Mestalla against Valencia, Vinícius was the target of racist shouting, which contributed to his state of agitation and frustration.
His coach, Carlo Ancelotti, quickly came to his defense, emphasizing that Vinícius’ situation was not easy to live with. He insisted that the player did not need to be surrounded by “more honey”as he proved his worth on the pitch by leading Real Madrid to great success. Ancelotti clarified that he considered the red card to be unjustified and that he hoped for a review of the decision.
The situation remains uncertain, and the Spanish Federation’s disciplinary committee must meet to assess the situation and decide whether Vinícius will be suspended. If the sanction falls, he could miss crucial matches, including the Spanish Super Cup against Mallorca.
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