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Gabriel Paulista only given two-game ban for sending Vini Jr. airborne with ferocious kick

LaLiga has given Valencia center back Gabriel Paulista a two-game suspension after he kicked out at Vinícius Jr. on Thursday.

In the 72nd minute of Real Madrid’s league clash with Valencia Paulista decided enough was enough and brutally swiped at Vini Jr.

A fight broke out and Paulista was given a straight red card.

The Spanish league announced on Friday that Paulista would be required to sit out two games for his actions. This received backlash online as fans pointed out that other LaLiga players have served similar or worse bans for lesser offences.

Robert Lewandowski was given a three-match ban earlier this season after pointing to his nose insinuating the referee was on drugs.

Paulista, born in Brazil but switched his nationality to Spanish in 2020, apologized for his actions via Instagram on Friday.

“I accept the criticism and the red card, I’m not proud. I’m a forceful player, but a noble one. I respect Vinícius and it was never my intention to hurt him,” Paulista wrote.

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