Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr sent off for hair pull as Jose Mourinho boycotts press conference

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior received a straight red card for pulling the hair of Villarreal's Nathan Saliba during a La Liga match on Saturday. The incident occurred in the build-up to what Vinicius Jr thought was his second goal, leading referee Isidro Diaz de Mera to disallow the strike and dismiss the Brazilian in the 73rd minute. Furious with the decision, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho skipped the post-match press conference.

Madrid held on to win 1-0 after an earlier goal from Yan Diamonde, despite playing with 10 men. Following his dismissal, Vinicius Jr apologized on Instagram to his teammates and supporters but omitted Saliba. He now risks an extended ban that could rule him out of the upcoming El Clasico against Barcelona.