Why was Vinícius Júnior given a four-game suspension?

He was sent off for pulling an opponent's hair and for protesting against the referee, and was subsequently handed a four-match ban in the Spanish league.

What did Vinícius Júnior say about referees?

He said the yellow cards always seem to go to him and that he is targeted, and he argued that flair players need greater protection than they currently get.

Which players did Vinícius Júnior name?

He named Lamine Yamal and Julián Álvarez, along with himself, as attacking players who would benefit from stronger protection from officials.

Will Real Madrid appeal against the suspension?

The club has not said whether it will challenge the ban, and no timetable for any appeal has been set out.

Football

Vinícius Júnior says referees target him after four-game suspension

The Brazil forward spoke after Real Madrid's 4-3 comeback win at Roma, hours after he was punished domestically for a hair-pull and dissent.

By Sportsback1h ago

Biso · CC BY 4.0

Vinícius Júnior says referees are targeting him and has called for more protection for flair players, speaking after Real Madrid's 4-3 comeback win at Roma in the Champions League on Wednesday. His comments came hours after he was handed a four-game suspension in the Spanish league, following a red card for pulling an opponent's hair and for protesting against the referee.

Vinícius disputes the length of the ban

The Brazil forward said he could not recall another player receiving a four-match suspension. He set out his own account of the sending-off, saying he had tried to move the player in front of him out of the way and had ended up caught in his hair. Real Madrid have not said whether they will challenge the ban, and no list of the four fixtures it covers has been published.

What he said about referees

Lamine Yamal Argentina v Spain 19 July 2026-214 (cropped 2)

Vinícius said the yellow cards always seem to go to him, and his wider complaint is that he is singled out for the treatment he receives. He named Lamine Yamal and Julián Álvarez as talented players who, like him, would be better served by stronger protection.

Form and the win at Roma

Lamine Yamal Cristian Romero Argentina v Spain 19 July 2026-124

The forward acknowledged he is going through a slump, but said he had no doubt he would return to his best form soon. Real Madrid trailed at Roma before coming back to win 4-3, a Champions League result that arrived hours after the domestic suspension was imposed.

Why the comments matter

Analysis: the sequence is awkward for Spanish officiating. Four matches out for a hair-pull and dissent is a substantial punishment, and Vinícius is now questioning both that decision and the broader pattern he believes it forms part of — while the competition that sanctioned him has yet to answer him. His remarks also widen the argument beyond his own case by naming other forwards.

What is not yet known

Real Madrid have not commented publicly on the suspension or on Vinícius's remarks. Neither the Spanish league nor the national refereeing body has responded to his claim that referees treat him differently. It has not been disclosed which league matches he will miss, nor what the disciplinary panel's written reasoning says. Vinícius has not said whether he intends to raise the question of protection formally with the authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Why was Vinícius Júnior given a four-game suspension?: He was sent off for pulling an opponent's hair and for protesting against the referee, and was subsequently handed a four-match ban in the Spanish league.
What did Vinícius Júnior say about referees?: He said the yellow cards always seem to go to him and that he is targeted, and he argued that flair players need greater protection than they currently get.
Which players did Vinícius Júnior name?: He named Lamine Yamal and Julián Álvarez, along with himself, as attacking players who would benefit from stronger protection from officials.
Will Real Madrid appeal against the suspension?: The club has not said whether it will challenge the ban, and no timetable for any appeal has been set out.