Saudi club punished with stadium ban after fans taunt Neves over Jota's death

Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun has been sanctioned over the conduct of its supporters toward Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves. The club must play its next two home league matches behind closed doors and has been fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals, roughly £20,000.

The punishment follows Saturday's match, during which Al-Taawoun fans repeatedly chanted "Jota" to taunt Neves over the death of his former teammate and close friend, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last July at age 28. Neves's side, Al-Hilal, went on to win the match 6-0.

Neves and Jota had a close friendship, having played together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and for the Portugal national team. In tribute to his friend, Neves now wears the number 21 shirt for Portugal, has a tattoo on his calf depicting himself and Jota embracing, and served as a pallbearer at Jota's funeral.

Speaking to reporters after the match, Neves said he hoped the chanting fans would think twice before going to pray afterward, given what they had done. Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi club Al-Nassr and was Jota's international teammate, called for the fans responsible for the chants to receive lifetime bans.

In a statement, Al-Taawoun said such behaviour was completely unacceptable and did not reflect the club, its supporters, or its values. The club added that sporting competition could never justify insulting, belittling or bullying another person's feelings.