Al Taawoun Hit With Heavy Sanctions After Fans Target Ruben Neves Over Diogo Jota Tragedy

Al Taawoun have been punished after a section of their supporters directed provocative chants at Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves while he was preparing to take a free kick. The chants referenced Neves' late friend and fellow Portugal international Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother in a tragic car accident in Zamora, Spain, in July 2025. The incident quickly attracted widespread attention because of the deeply personal nature of the subject.

Neves responded on the pitch with a sarcastic round of applause and a thumbs-up gesture before pointing toward the sky and then toward his eyes. He subsequently indicated the section of the stands where the chants had originated. The incident occurred more than a year after Jota's death and sparked strong criticism over the boundaries of acceptable behaviour at football matches.

The Saudi football authorities determined that the supporters' conduct had crossed the limits of sporting values and appropriate behaviour. The incident also prompted calls for disciplinary action, including from Cristiano Ronaldo, who was a teammate of Jota with Portugal. The controversy highlighted the growing concern surrounding abusive behaviour in football stadiums, particularly when supporters target sensitive personal tragedies.

Following the incident, the Saudi Football Federation imposed a fine of 100,000 Saudi riyals, worth approximately Rp470 million, on Al Taawoun. The club was also ordered to play its next two home matches behind closed doors, meaning no spectators will be allowed inside the stadium. The sanctions were issued as a disciplinary measure against the conduct associated with the incident.

Al Taawoun strongly condemned the actions of the individuals involved and stressed that the behaviour did not represent the club or the majority of its supporters. Despite the club distancing itself from the chants, the team will still have to serve the two-match stadium ban. The punishment is intended to reinforce standards of conduct and serve as a deterrent against similar incidents in future matches.