Al-Nassr are hoping to halve Jhon Duran’s suspension for his dismissal against Al-Ettifaq after sending the Saudi Football Federation a “compilation of errors” made by the referee who ordered him off, according to a report.
Striker Duran, who has scored four goals in four games in all competitions since leaving Aston Villa for £65 million in January, received a red card in the 90th minute of Al-Nassr’s 3-2 home defeat on Friday for touching Abdulelah Al-Malki on the head.
Al-Nassr have sent detailed analysis of Russian referee Kirill Levnikov’s decisions to the Saudi Pro League Disciplinary Commission, Argentinian outlet Infobae has said, citing Al Riyadiyah, including claims that Al-Ettifaq’s first goal was offside and a possible late penalty should have been awarded for a foul on Abdulmajeed Al-Sulayhem.
The report added that they do not believe Duran’s conduct warranted a red card as “shameful behaviour” and do not want his suspension to go beyond their away game at Al-Wehda on Tuesday (4pm GMT).
Jhon Duran suspension
The charge is said to apply to aggressive, obscene or insulting words or gestures and carry a punishment of a two-match suspension and a fine of around £4,200.
Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo appeared incensed with the decision, booting the ball away as Duran made his way off the pitch at Riyadh’s King Saud University Stadium.
Levnikov has averaged four yellow cards a game in the three matches he has overseen in the Saudi top flight since December 2023.
The 41-year-old has sent off two players in his last two games in Saudi Arabia after booking Al-Ahli’s Roger Ibanez in the 86th and 95th minutes of his team’s game against Al-Okhdood a year and five days earlier.
Most of the 339 games Levnikov has refereed have been in Russia, as well as taking charge of contests in competitions including the Europa League and European Qualifiers for the World Cup.
Duran red card: Another appeal
Colombia international Duran had scored in his four previous matches for Villa before receiving the first red card of his career at Newcastle in the Premier League on December 26.
Referee Anthony Taylor ordered Duran off following an incident involving home defender Fabian Schar after 32 minutes, but Villa manager Emery, his club’s supporters and many other fans and pundits were baffled by the decision.
Villa appealed but Taylor’s decision was upheld as the 21-year-old was found guilty of violent conduct and banned for three matches.
“He didn’t kick him on purpose… it’s a very big punishment for this action,” Emery said at the time. “I can accept maybe the other team asking for a red card, okay.
“But VAR [should have intervened] and confirm it [was not intentional], because the punishment now is three matches.”
Al-Nassr results, table
Al-Nassr’s third league defeat of the season has left them three points behind third-placed Al-Qadisiyah and 11 shy of leaders Al-Ittihad.
Stefano Pioli’s players had collected six wins during a seven-game unbeaten league run following a 2-1 defeat at Al-Ittihad on December 6.
Mecca-based Al-Wehda are three points adrift at the bottom of the table after winning three and losing 14 of their 21 league matches.
