​Former Real Madrid manager defends Vinicius following red card vs Villarreal: ‘I don’t see intentionality’Real Madrid resumed their campaign with a narrow win over Villarreal and three points, but it was yet another controversial affair due to refereeing decisions.Vinicius Jr thought he had doubled Madrid’s lead against Villarreal, only for the goal to be chalked off and the Brazilian to be sent off in the same breath.A VAR review showed Vinicius had tugged the hair of Villarreal’s Nathan Saliba in the build-up, prompting referee Isidro Diaz de Mera to void the goal and brandish a straight red. The decision has split opinion, and one Madrid great has come out firmly in the forward’s corner.Jorge Valdano on Vinicius’ redWas Vinicius’ red card warranted? (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)Former real Madrid player and manager Jorge Valdano, speaking to Movistar, saw little malice in the incident.“It’s an absolutely instinctive gesture. He feels they’re closing him in, he wants to get rid of it, and he does it in the most illegal way he can find,” he said (h/t Mundo Deportivo).Drawing a distinction with more serious offences, he added: “It would make the difference between what is a spit, for example, and what this is.”The former World Cup winner was unequivocal in his assessment of the act itself. “I don’t see any intentionality, the dirtyness of the action,” he concluded.Ominous time for ViniciusVinicius might miss the Barcelona match due to suspension. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)Valdano’s sympathy will do little to console Vinicius Jr., who might be staring at a lengthy suspension after the red card incident.The Brazilian is already at risk of missing the Clasico on October 25, with the final disciplinary ruling still to come.The referee’s report logs two separate matters. The first is the hair pull itself; the second is his reaction, described as continued loud protests and an aggressive approach to the official that forced Federico Valverde, Antonio Rudiger and others to restrain him. Depending on how that conduct is classified, the suspension could stretch to two, three or four games. The one reprieve is that the red card is domestic, leaving Vinicius free for Tuesday’s Champions League trip to Roma.