Jhon Durán refuses to live in Saudi Arabia after Al-Nassr move – what’s the issue?
Yasmine Green
Dailysports's expert
Translated by the editors
Jhon Durán, who recently transferred from Aston Villa to Al-Nassr, has decided not to reside in Saudi Arabia, opting instead to live in neighboring Bahrain, reports The Sun.
The Colombian striker’s decision appears to be influenced by Saudi Arabia’s strict Islamic laws, which prohibit unmarried couples from living together. Under these regulations, landlords can require official marriage documentation before renting a home to a couple. Durán is reportedly unsure whether he would be granted permission to live with his girlfriend, prompting his move to Bahrain.
As a result, Durán will have to commute approximately 1,000 km daily, flying between Bahrain and Al-Nassr’s training base near Riyadh. The flight from Bahrain to Riyadh takes around 80 minutes.
However, it is worth noting that this law is not always strictly enforced. For example, Cristiano Ronaldo was allowed to live with Georgina Rodríguez in Riyadh despite them not being officially married at the time.
Despite the inconvenience, Durán will be earning a staggering salary of £16.7 million net per year at Al-Nassr.
