Al-Taawoun Fined and Punished for Fan Chants Against 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 close friend and former team-mate Diogo Jota.

The club have also been hit with a 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000) fine.

The incident came before Al-Hilal’s 6-0 win on Saturday, when Al-Taawoun fans repeatedly chanted “Jota” at Neves. The taunts cut deep. Jota, who was playing for Liverpool at the time, died in a car crash in July last year at just 28.

Neves and Jota had grown together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and with Portugal. Their bond has remained visible ever since. Neves now wears the number 21 shirt for the national team in Jota’s honour and carries a tattoo on his calf of the pair embracing. He also served as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral.

Asked about the chants after the game, Neves did not hold back. “I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did,” he told reporters.

The reaction spread quickly across the Saudi game. Cristiano Ronaldo, now at Al-Nassr and a former international team-mate of Jota, publicly called for lifetime bans for those involved in the chanting.

Under growing scrutiny, Al-Taawoun issued a statement distancing the club from the behaviour of their fans.

“Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and does not represent the club, its fans, or the values for which the club is known,” the statement read. “Sports competition cannot be a justification for insulting, belittling, or bullying others at the expense of anyone's feelings.”

Now the sanction is in place, Al-Taawoun’s stadium will fall silent for their next two league home fixtures – a stark punishment, and a clear warning about where the line is drawn in the Saudi Pro League.