Al-Taawoun Faces Sanctions for Chants Targeting Ruben Neves

Al-Taawoun have been ordered to play two Saudi Pro League home games behind closed doors after sections of their support mocked Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves over the death of his close friend and former team-mate Diogo Jota.

The disciplinary ruling follows ugly scenes before Al-Hilal’s 6-0 win on Saturday, when Al-Taawoun fans repeatedly chanted “Jota” at Neves, targeting the Portugal international over a loss that has marked his career and his life.

The punishment includes a 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000) fine for Al-Taawoun.

Jota, the Liverpool forward and Portugal international, died in a car crash in July last year at the age of 28. He and Neves came through together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and shared a dressing room with the national team, forging a bond that extended far beyond the pitch.

Neves has carried that memory with him. He now wears the number 21 shirt for Portugal in Jota’s honour, has a tattoo on his calf of the pair embracing, and served as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral.

So when the chants rang out, they cut deep.

After the game, Neves did not hide his anger. “I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did,” he told reporters, a stark rebuke in a country where faith and football often sit side by side.

The incident also drew a sharp reaction from Cristiano Ronaldo, another former international team-mate of Jota and now the star attraction at Al-Nassr. Ronaldo called for lifetime bans for those involved in the chanting, pushing for the league to take the harshest possible stance.

Under growing scrutiny, Al-Taawoun moved to distance themselves from the behaviour of their supporters. 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 sanctions mean Al-Taawoun will now play in their own stadium without the noise, colour and energy that usually define Saudi Pro League fixtures — a stark reminder to every club in the division of where the line is meant to be drawn.