Al-Taawoun ordered to play two home matches behind closed doors after fans taunt Ruben Neves over Diogo Jota's death
Quick Look
- Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun has been sanctioned with two home matches behind closed doors and a 100,000 Saudi Riyal fine after supporters directed abusive chants referencing the deceased Diogo Jota at Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves during a match.
- Neves, a close friend of Jota who wears his number and has a tattoo in his memory, condemned the fans' behavior, while Cristiano Ronaldo called for lifetime bans.
- The club stated the actions do not represent its values.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Diogo Jota, a Portuguese footballer who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portugal national team, died in a car crash at age 28 in July 2023. He was a close friend of Ruben Neves, with whom he played at Wolves and for Portugal. Neves has honored Jota by wearing the number 21 shirt for Portugal and having a tattoo of them embracing, and served as a pallbearer at Jota's funeral.
Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun have been ordered to play two home league matches behind closed doors after their supporters taunted Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves over the death of his friend and team-mate Diogo Jota.
Al-Taawoun have also been fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000).
Liverpool forward Jota died in a car crash at the age of 28 in July last year and was a close friend of midfielder Neves, having played alongside him for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portugal.
Neves also now wears the number 21 shirt for Portugal in Jota's memory, and has a tattoo on his calf of him and Jota embracing. He was also a pallbearer at Jota's funeral.
Supporters targeted Neves before his side's 6-0 win on Saturday by repeatedly shouting "Jota" at him.
After the match, Neves told reporters: "I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did."
Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and was an international team-mate of Jota, called for lifetime bans to be issued to the chanting fans.
In a statement, Al-Taawoun 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."
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Saudi Pro League will investigate whether to issue lifetime bans to the fans involved in the chanting, as called for by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Possible · Within weeks
Open Questions
- Will the Saudi Pro League impose further sanctions on Al-Taawoun or individual fans?
- Are there plans to identify and punish the specific supporters who chanted?
- How will Al-Taawoun prevent similar incidents in future matches?
