Vinicius Jr hit with 4-match ban for hair-pulling red card

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has been banned for four matches by the Disciplinary Committee of the Spanish Football Federation following the red card he received in his side's 1-0 home win over Villarreal on Saturday, reported Xinhua.

Vinicius was sent off in the 73rd minute by referee Isidro Diaz de Mera after appearing to score for his side. However, following a VAR review, the goal was ruled out and Vinicius was shown a red card for pulling the hair of Villarreal midfielder Nathan Saliba in an off-the-ball incident.

The player was given a two-match ban for the foul because the incident was "with the ball not being disputed," with a further two matches imposed for the "aggressive attitude and needing to be held back by his teammates" during his protests to Diaz de Mera.

The sanction means Vinicius will miss next weekend's home match against Sevilla, as well as the first 'Clasico' of the season away to FC Barcelona, followed by away matches against Racing Santander and Valencia.