Bad news for Vinicius Junior after the red against Valencia: the penalty is terrible !

Vinícius Júnior, the player at the center of a controversial incident during Real Madrid’s first match of 2025 against FC Valencia, now faces the prospect of a significant penalty from the Spanish Football Federation, especially following the referee’s report from César Soto Grado.

After missing Real Madrid’s previous Liga match against Sevilla FC due to an avoidable yellow card, which Carlo Ancelotti did not approve of, Vinícius Júnior found himself involved in another regrettable moment. In the match against FC Valencia, the Brazilian winger struggled to shine due to Valencia’s solid defensive setup. With Real Madrid trailing 1-0 since the 27th minute, Vinícius lost his composure in the 79th minute.

La Liga rules suggest a suspension of 4 to 12 games for actions like this. Provoked by Valencia’s goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski, after another unsuccessful offensive attempt, Vinícius reacted by striking Dimitrievski in the neck. Following a VAR review, referee César Soto Grado issued a red card for this action, which was deemed dangerous. While Carlo Ancelotti argued that the red card was undeserved and confirmed Real Madrid would appeal, the situation seems to suggest that a harsh sanction is likely. According to VAR and several British media outlets, Vinícius may face a severe penalty, possibly even missing the upcoming Spanish Supercup.

Although many football observers and some Madrid supporters agree with the referee’s decision, believing Vinícius should not have reacted with an aggressive move, the potential punishment is now clearer. According to Article 103 of the RFEF disciplinary code, actions like Vinícius’s can lead to a suspension of 4 to 12 matches. Since the ball wasn’t in play at the time of the altercation, the incident can be classified as aggression under La Liga’s rules. This means Vinícius could be suspended for at least four matches, starting with the Spanish Supercup in Saudi Arabia next week. Considering Vinícius’s importance to the team, this suspension would be a major blow to Real Madrid’s plans.

The referee’s detailed report is critical in determining the sanction. According to Marca, a pro-Madrid outlet, the report states: “In the 79th minute, player Vinícius was expelled for deliberately hitting an opponent in the head, without the ball being contested, using significant force. Once expelled, the player had to be subdued by club members and taken to the locker room as his protests continued.” This report paints a picture of a serious altercation and suggests that a hefty penalty is inevitable for Vinícius’s latest outburst, which has drawn criticism from several club legends.

While Mestalla is known for being a hostile environment, especially with some fans showing racial hostility towards Vinícius, it is essential for him to control his emotions. Many believe that he still has a lot to improve if he wants to leave a lasting legacy in world football. We will learn the official decision from the La Liga disciplinary commission early next week.