Rayo Vallecano has decided not to file a complaint against Vinícius's gestures. The episode took place at the end of the Rayo Vallecano-Real Madrid match of last LaLiga round.
Vinícius left Vallecas condemning Rayo to relegation to Segunda División, which managed to stir up the spirits of the Rayo fans. His two fingers pointing down left no room for doubt.
Vinícius Escapes from Punishment
The president of Rayo, Martín Presa, confirmed to COPE network that he won't report Vinícius to the Federation's Disciplinary Committee.
This way, Vinícius avoids a sanction that could range from four to 12 matches. Article 98 of the Federation's regulations contemplates the situation that occurred in Vallecas:
"Provoking the animosity of the public with such intent. Unless, as a result, serious incidents occur and the infraction would be of greater significance. It will be sanctioned with a suspension of four to twelve matches."
Since there's no complaint, there won't be any sanction for the Real Madrid player. Meanwhile, Barça talks about "manipulation of LaLiga."
For Much Less, Flick Got Two Games Out
The Barça club believes that, for much less than what Vinícius did in Vallecas, Hansi Flick was punished with a direct expulsion. This also included a two-game suspension.
At Barça, they consider that Vinícius enjoys preferential treatment among the refereeing class, which allows him to do everything, with excessive protests out of place.
Vinícius only saw the yellow card, which will prevent him from playing the next match against Sevilla. That's why he avoided a direct red one, like the one Flick saw, which would've kept him out of the competition for two matches.
Vinícius's reaction was his reply to the chants he now hears in all the stadiums in Spain. "Beach Ball, Vinícius, Beach Ball", as a reference to how he missed winning the Ballon D'or.
Referee's Submissive Attitude toward Vinícius
DAZN cameras also captured a submissive attitude from referee Martínez Munuera toward Vinícius.
In it, the referee tells the Real Madrid player: "Listen to me, listen to me... I might have been wrong." And he adds in a pleading manner: "Okay, yes, I was wrong, wait, yes, I was wrong, but don't get like this, don't get like this."
The tone and content of the conversation have outraged Barça due to the familiarity between the two and the plea asking him not to protest in that way.
No one pleaded with Flick. He got striaight red, for much less, without asking him to lower the tone of protests that weren't like Vinícius's.