Al Taawoun face stadium closure, fine over ‘Jota’ chants by fans

Al Taawoun football fans chanted late Portugal player ⁠⁠Jota’s name at Al Hilal’s Neves, prompting calls for a ban from Ronaldo.Published On 16 Sep 202616 Sep 2026Saudi 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 af...