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.
STRAIGHT RED FOR PAULISTA ON THIS KICK pic.twitter.com/lmYK3GrbM1
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 2, 2023
INFO | 2 partidos de sanción para Paulista y otros 2 para William Carvalho pic.twitter.com/qGycQCkLm4
— Isaac Fouto (@isaacfouto) February 3, 2023
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.
Touching your nose is a more serious offense than violently kicking an opposing player in the bizzaro world of La Liga.
3 matches for Lewy. 2 matches for Paulista. Make it make sense. pic.twitter.com/iVDy7yNM20— total Barça (@totalBarca) February 3, 2023
Gabriel Paulista's thuggish attack on Vinicius Junior is 'punished' with a two-match suspension. Which is exactly the same ban William Carvalho receives for telling a referee "your decisions were really bad." Spanish football's decision makers are living in a different world. https://t.co/1R0uoVM7t6
— Colin Millar (@Millar_Colin) February 3, 2023
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.
View this post on Instagram
“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.
