Saudi Pro League Bans Al-Taawoun Over ‘Jota’ Chants Targeting Ruben Neves After Ronaldo’s Call For Action

PHOTO CREDIT: Photo as used by PunchNG.com – File photo of Ronaldo and Jota / Liverpool FC / Getty Images
Saudi Pro League Bans Al-Taawoun Over ‘Jota’ Chants Targeting Ruben Neves After Ronaldo’s Call For Action

Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun have been sanctioned after their fans taunted Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves with chants about late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee on Monday, September 15, ordered Al-Taawoun to play their next two home league matches behind closed doors and fined the club 100,000 Saudi Riyals (about $26,600 / £20,000) for the incident.

The chants occurred on Saturday, September 13, during Al-Taawoun’s home game against Al-Hilal in Buraidah, which Al-Hilal won 6-0. Supporters were heard repeatedly shouting “Jota” at Neves.

The chants referred to Diogo Jota, the Portugal and Liverpool forward who died in a car crash alongside his brother Andre Silva on July 3, 2025, at the age of 28.

Jota and Neves were close friends from their time together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and with the Portugal national team. Neves was a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral, now wears the No. 21 shirt for Portugal in his memory, and has a tattoo of the two embracing.

After the match, Neves condemned the behaviour, saying: “I just hope they don’t go to pray later after what they did.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr and was an international teammate of Jota, also reacted strongly and called for lifetime stadium bans for the fans involved.

In a statement, Al-Taawoun condemned the actions of its supporters:

“Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and does not represent the club, its fans, or the values for which the club is known. Sports competition cannot be a justification for insulting, belittling, or bullying others at the expense of anyone’s feelings.”

The ban means Al-Taawoun will play their next two home Saudi Pro League fixtures without supporters.

SOURCE: Punch Newspaper