Saudi club given stadium ban over Jota chants
Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun have been ordered to play two home league matches behind closed doors after their supporters taunted Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves over the death of his friend and team-mate Diogo Jota. Al-Taawoun have also been fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000). Liverpool forward Jota died in a car crash at the age […]
Al-Taawoun, a Saudi Pro League club, has been penalized for fans chanting at Ruben Neves, Al-Hilal's midfielder, over the death of his friend and teammate Diogo Jota. The club faces a two-match stadium ban and a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000). Jota, a Liverpool forward, died in a car crash in July last year, having been friends with Neves during their time together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Portuguese national team.
Neves, who wears Jota's former shirt number 21 and has a tattoo of them together, was pelted with "Jota" chants during Al-Taawoun's recent 6-0 victory. Following the match, Neves expressed his hope that the fans would refrain from more such behavior. Cristiano Ronaldo, Jota's fellow international and Al-Nassr player, urged for lifetime bans for the fans.
Al-Taawoun condemned the fans' actions, stating that such conduct is unacceptable and contradicts the club's values.
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