Saudi club punished for abusive chants aimed at Neves over Jota's death
Al-Taawoun have been ordered to play two home league matches behind closed doors and fined £20,000 after fans taunted Al-Hilal's Ruben Neves about the death of Diogo Jota. Neves, a close friend of Jota, was targeted during a match. The club condemned the behavior.
The Saudi Pro League's disciplinary action includes a two-match home stadium closure and a fine equivalent to £20,000. The abuse occurred before Al-Hilal's decisive 6-0 victory, with fans repeatedly shouting the name of the late forward. Neves's post-match comment expressed a hope that the perpetrators would not seek religious solace afterward.
The bond between Neves and Jota was deep, forged at Wolves and for Portugal. Neves honors his friend by wearing the number 21 shirt internationally and has a tattoo depicting their embrace. He served as a pallbearer at the funeral. Cristiano Ronaldo, a former international colleague of Jota, advocated for permanent bans, while Al-Taawoun publicly condemned the actions as contrary to their values.
This incident may reinforce the growing expectation that football clubs are accountable for their supporters' conduct, potentially prompting stricter crowd-control measures across leagues. It could also deepen awareness of the psychological toll that targeted abuse takes on players, especially those grieving. By punishing the club, the league signals that tribalism cannot override basic human decency, which may influence fan behavior and encourage more respectful rivalries. The widespread reaction, including from high-profile players, could amplify conversations about grief and respect in sport.