Audio recording reveals details of Vinicius' red card against Villarreal

A leaked audio recording of the VAR officials reveals details of the conversation leading up to Vinicius Junior's red card during the match against Villarreal, after he pulled the hair of one of the opposing team's players in the 71st minute.

Spanish newspaper "Mundo Deportivo" has published details of the conversation, explaining that referee Isidro Díaz de Mera did not show the red card directly, but made his decision after reviewing the incident via the video technology screen, following the intervention of Alejandro Muñiz Ruiz, who is responsible for the technology.

Munoz told the referee: "Isidro, I advise you to review the footage to assess whether there was violent conduct during the goal." Díaz de Mera responded, asking Polido Santana, the video assistant referee, to take over communication with him due to Munoz Ruiz's audio cutting out.

After the referee reached the screen, the Video Assistant Referee team explained that Vinicius Junior pulled the hair of a Villarreal player, and that the incident occurred within the same phase of the attack that led to the goal. Díaz de Mera requested a wider shot to determine the end of the attack, before a voice from the video room was heard saying: "This is a clip that deserves a red card."

After reviewing the footage, the referee decided to resume play with a free kick, showing a red card to player number 7, referring to Vinicius Junior, who left the pitch sent off.