Off the PitchBBC SportUnverified source· 16 Sept 2026
Al-Taawoun hit with stadium ban over Jota taunts
Fans mocked Ruben Neves about his late friend Diogo Jota — and the club is now paying the price.

Who
Al-Taawoun
What
Two-match closed-door order
Fine
100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000)
Target
Ruben Neves
What happened. Al-Taawoun have been ordered to play two home league matches behind closed doors and fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000) after their supporters taunted Ruben Neves over the death of Diogo Jota. Fans repeatedly shouted "Jota" at the Al-Hilal midfielder before his side's 6-0 win on Saturday.
- Jota died in a car crash aged 28 in July last year
- Neves wears Portugal's number 21 in Jota's memory
- Cristiano Ronaldo called for lifetime bans for the chanting fans
“I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did.”
— Ruben Neves
Al-Taawoun must now play two home league games without supporters as Saudi authorities punish the taunting.
In this story
More to read

Daily Mail Football
Saudi club slapped with two-match stadium ban after Cristiano Ronaldo demanded lifetime bans for fans who targeted Ruben Neves with disgraceful Diogo Jota chants

Sky Sports
Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans for fans involved in Jota chants

The Guardian
Cristiano Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans in Saudi Pro League after Diogo Jota chants

BBC Sport
Ronaldo demands lifetime bans over Jota chants

