Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr has called for greater consistency in refereeing, insisting that attacking players who regularly face physical challenges deserve better protection from match officials.

The Brazilian winger made the comments after receiving a four-match suspension following his dismissal during Real Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday.

Vinícius was sent off for pulling an opponent’s hair, an incident that has attracted attention following the disciplinary punishment imposed on the 25-year-old.

Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca, the Madrid forward questioned the timing of the announcement, claiming that he only became aware of the decision when he arrived at the stadium.

He also expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of proper explanation regarding the rule involved in the incident, despite officials regularly briefing players about changes to football regulations.

Vinícius insisted that he had never deliberately committed a violent act against another footballer, while arguing that referees should apply the rules consistently when dealing with physical confrontations during matches.

The Brazil international also claimed that he frequently suffers fouls but believes officials are often too quick to book him, raising concerns about how attacking players are treated compared with their opponents.

His comments have renewed the debate over refereeing standards in Spanish football, particularly the balance between protecting players from physical challenges and holding them accountable for misconduct on the pitch.

Despite his frustration, Vinícius’s dismissal for pulling an opponent’s hair remains the incident at the centre of the disciplinary case, with his four-match suspension adding another chapter to the scrutiny surrounding his conduct and treatment by match officials.