Al Taawoun face stadium closure, fine over ‘Jota’ chants by fans
Taawoun football fans chanted late Portugal player Jota's name at Al Hilal's Neves, prompting Ronaldo to call for a ban.
Saudi Pro League side Al Taawoun have been asked by the country’s football body to play their next two home matches behind closed doors and have been handed a fine of 100,000 riyals ($26,640) after supporters chanted the name of the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota during their match against Al Hilal.
The Discipline and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) announced the sanctions on Al Taawoun on Tuesday, three days after Taawoun fans appeared to make chants referencing Jota at Ruben Neves during the Saudi Pro League match.
Al Hilal midfielder Neves was a close friend and former teammate of Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain last year alongside his brother Andre Silva. Neves was among the pallbearers at Jota’s funeral.
Videos circulated on social media appeared to show sections of the crowd chanting “Jota” during Al Hilal’s 6-0 win over Al Taawoun. Neves reacted by pointing to his eye and then towards the sky before saying after the match: “I hope they don’t go to pray afterwards.”