Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun have been sanctioned following an incident in which some of their supporters directed chants about the late Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota at Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves.
The club has been ordered to play its next two home matches without spectators and fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals, equivalent to about £20,000.
The punishment follows footage circulated online showing sections of Al-Taawoun’s support chanting Jota’s name towards Neves during their team’s 6-0 defeat to Al-Hilal.
Neves, who was a close friend and former teammate of Jota at Wolverhampton Wanderers and with Portugal, appeared to respond by gesturing towards the supporters and indicating that God was watching.
The incident drew a strong reaction from Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who urged the Saudi football authorities to take firm action against those involved. Ronaldo said fans who engage in such conduct should be prevented from returning to stadiums.
Neves also addressed the incident briefly after the match, expressing his disapproval of the supporters’ behaviour and referring to the contrast between their actions and religious values.
Jota, a former Liverpool forward, died alongside his younger brother, André Silva, in a road crash in northern Spain in July 2025. He was 28 years old at the time of his death.
Neves and Jota had developed a close friendship during their time together at Wolves and while representing Portugal.