Al-Taawoun Hit with Stadium Ban After Cruel Chants
Al-Taawoun have been hit with a two-match stadium ban and a heavy fine after their supporters taunted Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves over the death of close friend and former team-mate Diogo Jota.
The Saudi Pro League club must play their next two home league fixtures behind closed doors and pay 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000) after fans targeted Neves during Al-Hilal’s 6-0 win on Saturday.
Cruel chants over Jota’s death
Liverpool forward Jota died in a car crash in July last year at the age of 28. He and Neves shared a dressing room at Wolverhampton Wanderers and with Portugal, forming a tight bond that went far beyond the pitch.
Neves has carried that loss with him. He now wears Portugal’s number 21 shirt in Jota’s honour, has a tattoo on his calf of the pair embracing, and served as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral.
On Saturday, as he prepared to play, Al-Taawoun supporters repeatedly chanted “Jota” at him. It was pointed. It was deliberate.
Neves did not hide his anger afterwards. Speaking to reporters, he said: “I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did.”
Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans
The incident sent shockwaves through Saudi football. Cristiano Ronaldo, now at Al-Nassr and a former Portugal team-mate of both Jota and Neves, weighed in and demanded lifetime bans for those responsible for the chants.
The reaction underlined how deeply Jota’s death is still felt within the Portuguese contingent and how far this episode strayed beyond the usual lines of football rivalry.
Club condemnation
Al-Taawoun moved quickly to distance themselves from the behaviour of their fans.
In a statement, the club said: “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 punishment means Al-Taawoun will now play in silence at home, a stark reminder that some lines, once crossed, carry a cost that echoes well beyond the final whistle.
