Al Taawoun hit with two closed-door matches over offensive chants aimed at Rúben Neves

Al Taawoun has been hit with a heavy punishment after a section of its fans targeted Rúben Neves with offensive chants during Saturday's match against Al Hilal. The Saudi Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee ruled on Tuesday that the club must play its next two home matches behind closed doors and pay a fine of 100,000 riyals, around 23,100 euros. The decision comes after supporters chanted the name of Diogo Jota, the Portuguese forward who died in 2025 and was a close friend of Neves.

• Al Taawoun will play two home matches without fans in the Saudi Pro League.
• The club must pay a fine of 100,000 riyals, equivalent to about 23,100 euros.
• The chants referenced Diogo Jota, a close friend and former teammate of Rúben Neves.
• Al Hilal filed a formal complaint, while Al Taawoun condemned the behavior.
• Cristiano Ronaldo publicly called for strong action against those responsible.

What happened during Al Hilal's 6-0 win over Al Taawoun

The incident unfolded during Al Hilal's dominant 6-0 victory over Al Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League. Videos shared on social media show parts of the home crowd chanting Jota's name, a gesture that hit Neves hard. The two Portuguese players shared time at Porto, Wolverhampton and the national team, and their bond went well beyond football: Neves was one of the pallbearers at his friend's funeral.

On the pitch, the Al Hilal midfielder made his feelings clear. Neves pointed to his eye and then toward the sky, a gesture widely seen as a reminder that everything is being watched. After the final whistle, he summed up his frustration: "I hope they don't go and pray after this."

The Saudi Football Federation's punishment explained

The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee moved quickly. The ruling announced on Tuesday forces Al Taawoun to close its stadium doors for the next two home fixtures in the Saudi Pro League and to pay 100,000 riyals. The Saudi Football Federation concluded that the chants amounted to offensive and unacceptable conduct that goes against the values the competition is trying to promote.

The fine, close to 23,100 euros, comes on top of the sporting penalty of playing without supporters. It ranks among the most severe punishments handed down in recent times for this kind of incident in Saudi football, a league that has invested heavily in recent years to raise its international profile.

Rúben Neves and Diogo Jota's long friendship

Rúben Neves and Diogo Jota shared key chapters of their careers. They played together at Porto, later at Wolverhampton Wanderers and also for Portugal's senior national team. Those shared experiences built a friendship that went far beyond the pitch. Jota died in 2025 in a car accident in Zamora, in which his brother, André Silva, also lost his life.

That close bond explains the intensity of Neves' reaction on the field and his words afterward. For the midfielder, hearing his friend's name turned into a mocking chant was a sign of disrespect that was difficult to accept.

Reactions from Cristiano Ronaldo, Al Hilal and Al Taawoun

The episode sparked widespread condemnation. Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al Nassr, was among the most prominent voices urging Saudi football authorities to take strong measures against this type of behavior. His message added to the general outrage generated by the images circulating on social media.

Al Hilal formally complained to the Saudi Football Federation and described the chants as offensive and unacceptable. For its part, Al Taawoun condemned the behavior of that section of its fanbase and stressed that it does not represent the club or the vast majority of its supporters.

What playing behind closed doors means for Al Taawoun

Losing the support of its fans comes at a difficult moment for Al Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League. Playing two consecutive home matches without spectators carries both sporting and financial consequences: the club will miss out on ticket revenue for those games and must also pay the fine imposed by the Disciplinary Committee.

The punishment is also meant to set a precedent. Saudi authorities have shown greater firmness in recent months when dealing with incidents in the stands, especially in a league that attracts growing media attention due to the presence of international stars.

Frequently asked questions about Al Taawoun's punishment