By: Odeh Favour Adiya
Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun have been ordered to play two home league matches behind closed doors following provocative chants by their fans aimed at Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves.
The club was also slapped with a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000) over the incident, which occurred ahead of Al-Hilal’s 6–0 victory on Saturday.
Supporters repeatedly shouted “Jota” at Neves, referencing the late Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who tragically died in a car crash at the age of 28 last July.
The taunts targeted the deep personal bond between the two players, who were close friends after playing together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and for the Portugal national team.
Neves, who served as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral, wears the number 21 shirt for Portugal in his memory and sports a tattoo on his calf depicting the pair embracing.
Speaking to reporters after the match, an emotionally shaken Neves strongly condemned the supporters’ conduct.
“I just hope they don’t go to pray later after what they did,” Neves said.
The incident drew widespread outrage across the league, prompting Al-Nassr star and Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo to demand strict action from football authorities.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner called for lifetime bans to be issued to the fans involved in the chanting.
Following the backlash and the league’s disciplinary sanctions, Al-Taawoun issued an official statement distancing the outfit from the supporters’ actions.
“Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and does not represent the club, its fans, or the values for which the club is known,” the statement read.
The club added, “Sports competition cannot be a justification for insulting, belittling, or bullying others at the expense of anyone’s feelings.”
The Saudi Pro League’s disciplinary ruling means Al-Taawoun will serve the two-match stadium closure immediately alongside paying the financial penalty.
