Real Madrid’s turbulent week has taken another dramatic turn after three of their players were handed two-match suspensions following an ill-tempered encounter against Celta Vigo on Sunday night. Los Blancos fell to a disappointing 2–0 defeat in Galicia, but it was the disciplinary chaos rather than the scoreline that dominated headlines across Spain.
The match descended into disorder when full-back Fran García received a second yellow card in rapid succession, forcing him off the pitch and shifting the momentum decisively in Celta Vigo’s favour. Moments later, fellow defender Álvaro Carreras followed him down the tunnel after another rash challenge. To make matters worse, rising Brazilian star Endrick, who began the match on the bench, was shown a straight red card after the final whistle for charging aggressively towards the fourth official.
According to the Spanish daily Marca, referee Alejandro Quintero detailed in his match report that tensions escalated sharply after García’s dismissal. In the frantic closing stages, players such as Rodrygo, Federico Valverde, and Carreras reportedly expressed their frustration vocally, further inflaming the situation. The drama did not end there: in the tunnel, senior defender Dani Carvajal allegedly directed insulting remarks at the match official, an incident also recorded in Quintero’s official report.
Following a review, La Liga’s Disciplinary Committee issued its verdict on Monday: Endrick, Carreras and Carvajal have each been banned for two matches, while García will serve the standard one-match suspension for a red card.
Suspension Overview
| Player | Reason for Suspension | Matches Banned |
|---|---|---|
| Fran García | Second yellow card (sent off) | 1 match |
| Álvaro Carreras | Direct red card | 2 matches |
| Endrick | Post-match misconduct toward fourth official | 2 matches |
| Dani Carvajal | Verbal abuse of referee in tunnel | 2 matches |
The ruling means Real Madrid will be without all four players for their upcoming league fixture away to Alavés next Sunday. Endrick, Carreras, and Carvajal will also miss the crucial 21 December clash against Sevilla. With Barcelona leading the table on 40 points, Madrid now sit four points behind, adding pressure at a delicate point in the season.
This disciplinary blow compounds Madrid’s recent struggles. Under manager Xabi Alonso, the team has managed only two wins in their last eight matches across all competitions, and their midweek 2–1 home defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League has further dampened morale.
As the festive period approaches—a time when squad depth is typically tested—Real Madrid find themselves stretched thin, both tactically and emotionally. The coming weeks will reveal whether Alonso’s side can stabilise or whether this turbulent chapter marks the beginning of a deeper crisis.
SB