Saudi club gets two-match stadium ban after Cristiano Ronaldo demanded lifetime bans for fans who targeted Ruben Neves

Saudi Pro League Al-Taawoun have been handed a two-match stadium ban after a group of their fans taunted Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves with chants about his late friend Diogo Jota.

The club will play their next two home fixtures behind closed doors, and they have also been ordered to pay a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000).

The ban comes after footage shared on social media showed Al-Taawoun supporters repeatedly chanting Jota’s name in the direction of Neves during their 6-0 defeat to Al-Hilal.

Neves, who was a close friend and former teammate of Jota at Wolves and for Portugal, appeared to signal to the fans that ‘God is watching’ in response.

Shortly after, Cristiano Ronaldo called for the spectators who mocked Jota’s passing to be handed a lifetime ban.

Portugal captain Ronaldo posted on Instagram on Sunday: ‘The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behavior.

‘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.’

Neves briefly referenced the incident after Al-Hilal recorded a 6-0 victory over Al-Taawoun, as he quickly walked through the mixed zone post-match.

‘I hope they don’t go to prayer later,’ Neves told reporters, appearing to contrast the behaviour of the fans with religious teachings.

Jota and his brother Andre Silva died in a car crash in northern Spain in July 2025. The former Liverpool forward was just 28 years old.

Neves had been Jota’s best friend after the days playing together at Wolves and with the national team.