Saudi club given stadium ban over Jota chants towards Neves

Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun have been handed a stadium ban for the duration of two home matches following chants directed at Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves over the passing of his friend and teammate Diogo Jota. The offending supporters have also been slapped with a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals, approximately £20,000. Diogo Jota, a Liverpool forward, lost his life in a car accident in July of the previous year and was a dear friend of Neves.

The two had played together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and for the Portuguese national team. Neves, in Jota's memory, wears the number 21 jersey and has a tattoo depicting the two embracing. Neves was also present at Jota's funeral, serving as one of the pallbearers. During a match between Al-Taawoun and Al-Hilal, the fans targeted Neves by repeatedly shouting "Jota" at him.

In the aftermath of the game, Neves expressed his disappointment, stating, "I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did." Cristiano Ronaldo, a fellow teammate of Jota in the international arena, has called for lifetime bans to be imposed on the offending fans. In a statement, Al-Taawoun described the behavior as "completely unacceptable" and emphasized that it does not align with the club, its fans, or the values the club holds dear.

They firmly stated that sports competition should not be used as a justification for insulting, belittling, or bullying others at the expense of anyone's feelings.