Al Taawoun have been ordered to play their next two Saudi Pro League home matches behind closed doors after supporters chanted the name of the late Diogo Jota at Al Hilal midfielder Rúben Neves.
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s Disciplinary and Ethics Committee also fined the club 100,000 riyals, approximately £20,000.
The chants occurred during Saturday’s match between Al Taawoun and Al Hilal and appeared intended to provoke Neves over the death of his close friend and Portugal teammate.
Jota and his brother André Silva died in a car crash in July 2025.
Neves was a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral.
Al Hilal subsequently lodged a formal complaint over the chanting, while Al Taawoun condemned the behaviour of its own supporters.
Cristiano Ronaldo also intervened, calling for those responsible to receive lifetime stadium bans.
Saudi football authorities have instead imposed sanctions on the club.
Al Taawoun’s next two league home matches will therefore be played without supporters.
The disciplinary ruling is reported as final and not subject to appeal.
Sources
- Reuters – Al Taawoun ordered to play two matches behind closed doors
- Reuters – Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans after Jota chants aimed at Neves
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