Cannavaro on verge of getting one-match ban

Dubai: Fabio Cannavaro has the distinct likelihood of becoming the first player to be penalised with an automatic one-match suspension should he get one more yellow card.

The Italian World Cup skipper, who was signed by Al Ahli from Juventus at the start of this season, has already received two yellow cards in his first two matches with his new club this season.

And one more caution may well make him the first player in the 12-team league to draw an automatic suspension for one match, according to competition rules framed by the UAE Football Association (UAE FA).

Clear rules

"The rules are clear on this," Carlo Nohra, Chief Executive Officer, UAE Football League (UFL) told Gulf News.

Cannavaro got his first yellow in the very eighth minute in their opening match against Al Dhafrah on August 26 and he was shown a second yellow for a foul in the 19th minute against Al Wasl on Wednesday night.

Al Ahli's next match will be away to newcomers Ittihad Kalba in the third round of the pro league on September 16.