Saudi side Al Taawoun hit with stadium closure and fine over ‘Jota’ chants
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The chants sparked widespread criticism, including from Al Nassr captain and Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo, another of Jota’s former teammates, who urged authorities to take strong action.
PHOTO: REUTERS
RIYADH – The Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee on Sept 15 ordered Al Taawoun to play their next two home Saudi Pro League matches behind closed doors and fined the club 100,000 riyals (S$33,970) after supporters chanted the name of the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota during a match on Sept 13 against Al Hilal.
The sanctions stem from an incident involving Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves, a close friend and former teammate of Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain in 2025 alongside his brother Andre Silva. Neves was among the pallbearers at Jota’s funeral.
Videos that circulated on social media appeared to show sections of the crowd chanting “Jota” during Al Hilal’s 6-0 win over Al Taawoun.
Neves reacted by pointing to his eye and then toward the sky before saying after the match: “I hope they don't go to pray afterwards.”
The chants sparked widespread criticism, including from Al Nassr captain and Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo, another of Jota’s former teammates, who urged authorities to take strong action.
Al Hilal said it had filed a complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, describing the chants as offensive and unacceptable, while Al Taawoun condemned the behaviour and said it did not represent the club or its supporters. REUTERS