Madrid will face Mallorca in the semi-finals and could face 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 winning the UEFA Super Cup in August last year. Carlo Ancelotti's team will face Mallorca in the semi-finals (Thursday, January 9) and could play Athletic Club or Barcelona in the final (Sunday, January 12), but do not yet know whether key striker Vinicius Junior can play.
The uncertainty surrounding the Brazilian winger's availability centers around his departure in the LaLiga win over Valencia on January 3. Vini received a red card for tackling opposing goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski and has yet to learn his punishment.
With the match taking place on Friday and Monday (January 6), a public holiday in Spain, the Spanish Football Federation's competition committee will wait 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 hitting an opponent on the head with significant force while the ball was not in play. Once sent off, the player (Vinicius) had to be restrained by members of his team and led to the dressing room as he continued to protest.”
What suspension can Vinicius risk for his red card for Valencia?
Real Madrid believe that, under Article 130 of the federation's disciplinary code, the Brazilian is likely to receive a two- or three-match suspension for an off-the-ball attack in the context of the match. In that case, the ban would only apply to LaLiga, allowing him to participate in the Spanish Super Cup.
However, the Competition Committee could find that Vinicius was guilty of a general attack on Dimitrievski, which would have more serious consequences. Then Article 103 would come into play and a ban of four to 12 matches in all competitions. If that is the outcome, the 24-year-old, who has traveled to Saudi Arabia, will watch the Super Cup from the stands.
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