Head slap earns red card for Jhon Duran in his fourth Saudi Pro League game

By Canadian Press on February 21, 2025.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — An apparently light slap earned Colombia forward Jhon Duran a straight red card in just his fourth match for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday.

Duran was signed in January from Aston Villa for a reported 64 million pounds ($80 million) and scored four goals in his first two league appearances.

But on Friday in stoppage time, while play seemed to have stopped, he appeared to give a glancing slap to the back of the head of Ettifaq midfielder Abdulelah Al-Malki. Al-Malki dropped and rolled on the ground.

The referee issued a red card despite the protests of teammate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Al-Nassr lost to Ettifaq 3-2, ending a seven-game unbeaten streak, and leaving the team eight points behind leader Al-Ittihad, which has a game in hand.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The Associated Press

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