Saudi Football Federation condemns chants targeting Rúben Neves over late Diogo Jota

The Saudi Football Federation and the Saudi Pro League issued a joint statement on Sunday night condemning the chants that a section of Al Taawoun fans aimed at Rúben Neves during Saturday's league match against Al Hilal. The chants, described by officials as "unacceptable practices", referenced Diogo Jota, a close friend and former teammate of the Portuguese midfielder who died on 3 July 2025 along with his brother André Silva in a road accident in Zamora, Spain.

• The Saudi Football Federation and Pro League condemn the chants aimed at Rúben Neves over the late Diogo Jota.
• Al Hilal beat Al Taawoun 6-0 and filed a formal complaint with the federation.
• Neves responded with a thumbs up, applause and pointed to the sky.
• Cristiano Ronaldo says those fans should never be allowed inside a stadium again.
• Saudi Arabia is building its football project ahead of the 2034 World Cup.

What happened during Al Taawoun vs Al Hilal

The chants were heard on Saturday during the Saudi league match between Al Taawoun and Al Hilal, which ended in a commanding 6-0 win for Neves' side, the league leaders. The 29-year-old midfielder was preparing to take a free kick when the insults came down from the stands. Rather than confront the crowd, he raised his thumb, applauded and pointed to the sky, a gesture that quickly spread across social media.

I just hope they don't go and pray after what they've done.

Those were the words Neves used to express his frustration after the match. The Portugal international was one of the closest friends of the former Liverpool player and served as a pallbearer at his funeral, a moment that reflected the depth of their connection.

Saudi Football Federation and Pro League issue joint condemnation

In a joint statement, the Saudi Football Federation and the Saudi Pro League described the events as "unacceptable practices" and stressed that such behaviour goes against the "values and principles" of Saudi football. The response went beyond a generic rebuke: both bodies made clear that personal attacks on players or their families have no place in the country's stadiums.

Cristiano Ronaldo calls for a lifetime stadium ban

Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al Nassr and a Portugal teammate of Neves, also spoke out on Sunday. The forward was unequivocal, saying that fans involved in those chants "should never be allowed to enter a stadium again". His message added to the widespread anger across Saudi football after the images from the match were shared online.

Al Hilal files an official complaint over offensive chants

Al Hilal announced it had filed a complaint with the Saudi federation to "protect the rights of the club and its players". In its statement, the club reaffirmed its categorical rejection of "such excesses, especially when they target players or their families, or seek to attack them personally". The club is now pushing for a response that matches the seriousness of what took place.

Saudi Arabia's growing football project ahead of the 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 World Cup, a cornerstone of its strategy to diversify an economy still heavily dependent on oil. Sport, and football in particular, sits at the heart of that plan. The Gulf monarchy has invested nearly two billion dollars in football over the past three years, bringing in stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar and Karim Benzema in a bid to turn the Saudi Pro League into one of the most profitable competitions in the world. Against that backdrop, incidents like the one at Al Taawoun's stadium represent a reputational setback that local authorities are determined to stamp out.

Who were Diogo Jota and André Silva

Diogo Jota, 28, and his younger brother André, 25, died in a road accident on a Spanish motorway on 3 July 2025 while the Liverpool player was driving. André was a professional footballer in the Portuguese second division. Their deaths sent shockwaves through Portuguese football and the Liverpool dressing room, where Jota had established himself as one of the fans' favourite attacking players.