Vinícius challenges four-match ban as Real Madrid rally to beat Roma

Vinícius Júnior has questioned a four-match Spanish league suspension and called for stronger protection for attacking players after Real Madrid's 4-3 Champions League victory at Roma on Wednesday. The Guardian reported that the Brazil forward learned of the punishment hours before the European match. The ban will rule him out of the clásico away to Barcelona on 25 October.

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The suspension followed a dismissal against Villarreal for pulling an opponent's hair and protesting to the referee. Vinícius disputed the severity of the sanction, saying he had been attempting to move the other player aside when his hand became caught in the player's hair. He also denied using offensive language towards the official that would justify a four-game punishment.

His wider criticism concerned what he described as unequal treatment of creative players. He argued that opponents could repeatedly foul him while he was the player who ended up being booked, and cited Barcelona's Lamine Yamal and Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez as others needing protection. Those comments were his assessment of refereeing, rather than an independently established finding of unfair treatment.

Madrid manager José Mourinho separately criticised when the decision was communicated. According to The Guardian's account of his comments, the team discovered the suspension while travelling by bus to the stadium, about two hours before kick-off. Mourinho questioned the timing of an announcement affecting a player preparing for an important European fixture, while Vinícius also addressed his own difficulties on the pitch.

The 26-year-old has not scored for Madrid since August and acknowledged that he is below his best. He nevertheless expressed confidence that his form and goals would return, referring to his six-year contract extension as evidence of his commitment to the club. He was substituted in the 59th minute in Rome, before Madrid recovered from a 3-1 deficit.

Endrick, who replaced Vinícius, equalised in the 85th minute before Antonio Rüdiger scored the winner in the 90th. Vinícius acknowledged feeling annoyed at being taken off but said he had a good relationship with Mourinho and accepted that the change had helped the team. He credited the improvement after his substitution, despite his desire to remain on the pitch.