Al-Taawoun Faces Two-Match Ban for Chants Against Neves
Al-Taawoun have been hit with a two-match stadium ban and a hefty fine after their supporters taunted Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves over the death of close friend 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 a disciplinary ruling that followed ugly scenes during Al-Hilal’s 6-0 win on Saturday.
Cruel chants over Jota’s death
As Neves warmed up and throughout the game, sections of the Al-Taawoun support repeatedly shouted “Jota” at him, mocking the death of the Liverpool forward, who was killed in a car crash in July last year at the age of 28.
Jota and Neves shared a dressing room at Wolverhampton Wanderers and with Portugal, forming a close bond that extended far beyond the pitch. Neves now wears the number 21 shirt for Portugal in Jota’s honour and has a tattoo on his calf of the pair embracing. He also served as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral.
The chants cut deep. Speaking afterwards, Neves did not hide his anger: “I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did,” he told reporters.
Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans
The incident resonated across Saudi football. Cristiano Ronaldo, now at Al-Nassr and a former international team-mate of Jota, publicly demanded lifetime bans for those involved in the chanting, pushing the debate beyond a simple disciplinary issue and into a question of what football is willing to tolerate inside its stadiums.
The league’s response stopped short of that, but the punishment is still significant in a competition that has poured resources into raising its global profile and attracting elite talent.
Club condemnation
Al-Taawoun moved quickly to distance themselves from their own 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 message was clear: passion is welcome, cruelty is not. The next time Al-Taawoun run out at home, the silence in the stands will speak for itself.
