In the Saudi Pro League city of Buraidah, Al-Taawoun will play its next two home fixtures behind closed doors after supporters targeted Al-Hilal’s Rúben Neves with chants referencing the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota.
Key takeaways
- Saudi football authorities have ordered Al-Taawoun to host two matches without spectators.
- The club was also fined R$136,000 for the conduct of part of its home support.
- Supporters repeatedly shouted “Jota” while Al-Hilal players were warming up on Saturday night.
- Al-Hilal won the league match 6-0 and subsequently filed a formal complaint.
- Cristiano Ronaldo called for those responsible to receive permanent stadium bans.
Sanction follows complaint and club condemnation
The chants were directed at Neves before the match, with the Portuguese midfielder responding by applauding sarcastically and pointing towards the sky. Jota, his close friend and Portugal international teammate, died in a car accident in July 2025 at the age of 28.
Neves also shared the Portugal squad with Ronaldo, who reacted publicly after the incident. The Al-Nassr forward argued that supporters involved in the chanting should be excluded from stadiums for life.
Al-Hilal brought the matter before the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, while Al-Taawoun condemned the actions of the supporters concerned and said it would cooperate with the relevant authorities. The federation’s ruling means the next two Al-Taawoun fixtures at their own ground will be played without fans.
A painful personal connection
The episode carried particular weight for Neves because of his relationship with Jota. The Al-Hilal player has a tattoo on his left calf showing the pair embracing, a personal tribute to his former international colleague and friend.
On the pitch, Al-Hilal left Buraidah with a comprehensive 6-0 victory, but the attention around the fixture shifted quickly from the result to the conduct in the stands and the disciplinary response that followed.
SEO title: Al-Taawoun handed two-match stadium closure after chants at Rúben Neves
SEO description: Al-Taawoun have been fined R$136,000 and ordered to play two Saudi Pro League home matches without supporters after chants aimed at Al-Hilal midfielder Rúben Neves.
