Vinicius de Gamarra caused an off-field incident after receiving a direct red card in the match between Real Madrid and Villarreal. The Brazilian forward was sent off after a play in which, according to the referee, he pulled Saliba's hair, which culminated in the goal that gave the Spanish team the victory. When the referee showed the card, the player visibly protested and his teammates pulled him aside to prevent the situation from escalating.
While heading to the locker room, Vinicius approached a LaLiga employee who was behind the monitor where the referee was reviewing the action with the VAR. In a moment of frustration, the player pushed the worker, a gesture that was recorded in a video that has been spread on social networks. The incident was not recorded by the referee in the official match report, which could complicate the evaluation of the sanction.
The competition director has indicated that, if the action is confirmed, the sanction could be more severe than usual. A suspension of between two and three games is expected, although the final decision will depend on the review of the LaLiga Disciplinary Commission. The fact that the employee was hit without the referee noting it in the official report adds an element of controversy to the situation.
Real Madrid, which remains at the top of the League table, has already suffered several expulsions this season, but Vinicius' reaction has generated a debate about the behavior of players in moments of pressure. The club has issued a statement in which it is “concerned about the player's conduct” and indicates that it will fully cooperate with LaLiga's investigation.
So far, the player has not been officially sanctioned for the incident. The LaLiga Disciplinary Commission must analyze the video and the available evidence before deciding the disciplinary measure. Meanwhile, Real Madrid is preparing for its next match, with the expectation that the team will maintain its performance despite the possible absence of one of its starters.