Madrid face Mallorca in the semifinals and could play Athletic Club or Barcelona in the final, with a question mark over Vini’s availability.
Real Madrid head to Saudi Arabia for the 2025 Spanish Super Cup hoping to win their second trophy of the season after lifting the UEFA Super Cup in August last year. Carlo Ancelotti’s team face Mallorca in the semifinals (Thursday, January 9) and could play Athletic Club or Barcelona in the final (Sunday, January 12) but still don’t know whether key attacker Vinicius Junior will be able to play.
The uncertainty over the Brazilian winger’s availability centres around his sending off in the LaLiga victory over Valencia on January 3. Vini was shown a red card for putting his hands on opposition goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski and has yet to learn his punishment.
With the game taking place on a Friday and Monday (January 6) being a public holiday in Spain, the Spanish Soccer Federation’s Competition Committee are waiting until Tuesday (January 7) to decide what type of sanction the Madrid star should receive.
According to referee César Soto Grado, Vinicius was sent off for “deliberately striking an opponent in the head with not insignificant force, when the ball was not in play. Once sent off, said player (Vinicius) had to be restrained by members of his team and led to the dressing room while he continued protesting”.
What suspension could Vinicius face for his Valencia red card?
Real Madrid believe the Brazilian, according to Article 130 of the federation’s disciplinary code, is likely to be hit with a two or three game suspension for an off-the-ball assault in the context of the game. In that case, the ban would only apply to LaLiga, allowing him to take part in the Spanish Super Cup.
However, the Competition Committee could rule that Vinicius was guilty of a general assault on Dimitrievski, which would have more serious consequences. That would see Article 103 come into play and a ban of four to 12 games, served in all competitions. If that is the outcome, the 24-year-old, who has travelled to Saudi Arabia, will be watching the Super Cup from the stands.
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