The Saudi soccer federation has fined Al-Taawon 100,000 Saudi Riyals and ordered them to play two home games without fans following unethical chants referencing the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota.
Saudi Arabian football club Al-Taawon has been fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals (around $26,700) and ordered to play its next two home matches behind closed doors after supporters chanted about the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota.
The Saudi soccer federation issued the penalty after videos surfaced showing fans chanting phrases and slogans that violated its ethics during Al-Hilal's 6-0 victory over Al-Taawon. Portugal international Ruben Neves was filmed reacting to the chants directed at his late international teammate. Liverpool striker Jota and his brother André Silva died in a car accident in Spain in July 2025. The governing body stated that the disciplinary decision cannot be appealed.
Portugal superstar and Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo condemned the behavior on Instagram, calling for lifetime stadium bans for those involved. "The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour," Ronaldo wrote. "This is no longer football, and there have to be limits. People who behave like this should never be allowed to enter a stadium again."
In a show of solidarity during Al-Hilal's 2-1 win against Al-Gharafa on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Al-Hilal supporters displayed cards forming Neves' shirt number, eight, alongside a banner stating "Together beyond football." Neves scored a penalty during the match.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Sport. Photo courtesy The Hindu Sport.