Former Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran faces an anxious wait as UEFA prepares to investigate the red card he received for headbutting an opponent during a Europa League match, casting major doubt over a potential reunion with his old club.
The Incident That Sparked the Controversy
The dramatic event unfolded on Thursday night during Fenerbahce's clash with Ferencvaros. In second-half added time, Duran was involved in an altercation with Ferencvaros defender Toon Raemaekers.
In a moment of madness, the Colombian international leaned in and headbutted Raemaekers. The incident occurred just yards away from referee Ricardo de Burgos, who immediately produced a straight red card, sending Duran for an early bath.
Immediate Consequences and Looming Suspension
The dismissal carries an automatic one-match suspension in UEFA club competitions. This means Duran will definitely miss Fenerbahce's next Europa League fixture against Norwegian side Brann next month.
However, the major question mark hangs over the following match. According to the UEFA rulebook, for serious offences like violent conduct, the governing body's disciplinary panel has the power to extend the ban beyond a single game.
Given that a headbutt is classified as violent conduct, there is a genuine possibility of a multi-game suspension, which could rule him out of the highly anticipated match against his former team, Aston Villa.
Duran's Journey Since Leaving Villa Park
Duran's career path has been eventful since his departure from the West Midlands. Aston Villa sold him to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in January for a fee of £65 million.
After just half a season in the Middle East, the striker was on the move again, joining Turkish giants Fenerbahce on a season-long loan during the summer transfer window.
His time in Turkey has yet to fully ignite. To date, he has made seven appearances across all competitions, finding the net on just one occasion. This latest disciplinary issue now threatens to further disrupt his rhythm and availability.
The final decision now rests with UEFA's disciplinary bodies, who will determine the full extent of the punishment for Jhon Duran's moment of folly.
