Saudi Club Al-Taawoun Banned for Two Home Games After Diogo Jota Chants

Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun has been handed a two-match stadium ban and fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000) after a group of its fans chanted the name of the late Diogo Jota at Ruben Neves.

The sanction follows footage circulating on social media that showed Al-Taawoun supporters chanting Jota's name repeatedly during the team's 6-0 defeat to Al-Hilal. Neves, who was a close friend and former teammate of Jota at Wolves and for Portugal, appeared to respond by gesturing that "God is watching."

The incident drew strong condemnation, notably from Cristiano Ronaldo, who called for lifetime stadium bans for the fans involved. "This is no longer football, and there have to be limits," Ronaldo stated on Instagram. "People who behave like this should never be allowed to enter a stadium again."

Jota and his brother Andre Silva tragically died in a car crash in Spain in July 2025 at the age of 28. Neves, who was a pallbearer at Jota's funeral, has maintained a close relationship with Jota's widow, Rute Cardoso. Neves has also honored his late friend with a leg tattoo and by wearing Jota's former No. 21 shirt for both Al-Hilal and the Portuguese national team.

Neves briefly addressed the chants post-match, telling reporters, "I hope they don't go to prayer later," seemingly contrasting the fans' behavior with religious teachings.

Saudi Arabian international Saleh Abu Al-Shamat of Al-Ahli also spoke out against the chants, labeling them "wrong and unacceptable." He emphasized the importance of representing Islam positively, stating, "No matter how intense the rivalry or the situation, we should never stoop to gloating over the dead, engaging in slander, or attacking people's families or the deceased."

Al-Taawoun will play their next two home fixtures behind closed doors as a result of the disciplinary action.