Vinícius Junior has been handed a four-game ban for his sending-off in Real Madrid's LaLiga win over Villarreal and will miss this month's Clásico with Barcelona.
The Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee confirmed on Wednesday that the Madrid forward had been given a two-game ban for violent conduct after pulling Nathan Saliba's hair during Saturday's match at the Bernabéu, and another two games for his angry reaction to the decision.
Moments after the hair pull, Vinícius converted Jude Bellingham's pass to put Madrid 2-0 up, before a VAR review of the incident saw the goal disallowed, and the Brazil international shown a red card.
Coach José Mourinho left Vinícius out of Madrid's starting XI against Villarreal after a difficult start to the season, in which he has scored just once for his club.
Vinícius, who apologized to fans on social media afterward, will now miss Madrid's game with Sevilla on Sunday, the Clásico at Camp Nou on Sunday, Oct. 25, and matches against Racing Santander and Valencia.
Following Real Madrid's dramatic 4-3 Champions League comeback victory over Roma on Wednesday, Vinícius questioned the timing of his domestic suspension and insisted he has never been violent toward another player.
"They had all day to announce the suspension, yet just as we arrived at the stadium, I was told I'm out for four league games," the Brazilian star said.
"We've never had this [hair pulling] explained to us. Someone from La Liga and the referees' association always comes to explain the rules, but never this specific point. It was a red card for me, simple as that... I've never been violent towards another player. I get hit quite a lot, yet the cards end up going to me."
The ban is only applicable in domestic competitions, so Mourinho named Vinícius in the starting XI for Wednesday's Champions League game at Roma. He will also be available for games with RB Leipzig on Oct. 21 and AEK on Nov. 4.
"The question for the committee is why they released the punishment in this moment," Mourinho told Movistar. "If you ask that question, it's because you think it could affect him. If not, you wouldn't ask me the question.
"I think you should ask the committee why they didn't do it this morning, or tomorrow morning, and why they do it two hours before an important game for Real Madrid, without forgetting that Real Madrid are a Spanish club."
Vinícius will next play a LaLiga match after November's international break.
The committee said Vinícius had received a two-game ban for "violent conduct, without the possibility of playing the ball" and the two additional games for arguing with the referee "with an aggressive attitude and having to be restrained by his teammates."
Vinícius signed a new long-term contract at Madrid until 2032 this summer, after being heavily linked with a move away having entered the last year of his previous deal.
