Saudi Club Al-Taawoun Sanctioned over Jota Chants
- On Tuesday, the Saudi Arabian Football Federation ordered Al-Taawoun to play their next two home matches behind closed doors and fined the club 100,000 riyals for fan chants referencing the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota.
- Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves was targeted by supporters during Saturday's 6-0 win, who repeatedly shouted 'Jota' at the player. Neves, a close friend and former teammate of the late forward, reacted by gesturing toward the sky.
- Diogo Jota died in a car crash in Spain in the summer of 2025 alongside his brother, Andre Silva. Neves played alongside Jota for Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portugal, deepening the significance of the chants.
- Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo demanded lifetime bans for the chanting fans, calling the behavior unacceptable. Al-Taawoun stated the conduct 'does not represent the club' and apologized for the insults.
- The Saudi Football Federation cited section 39-4 of the Disciplinary and Ethics regulations to increase the penalty. The federation maintains that sports competition cannot justify insulting or bullying others at the expense of anyone's feelings.
37 Articles
37 Articles
Los Angeles Times
Independent EspañolThe Saudi club Al-Taawon has been fined and ordered to play behind closed doors after a video appeared that seemed to show fans chanting chants about the late Portuguese striker Diogo Jota.
Because fans provoked Portuguese national player Ruben Neves with "Jota, Jota" calls, Saudi Arabia's football association has responded with a ban on spectators and a fine.
In the Saudi Pro League, fans call out to the Portuguese Rúben Neves "Jota, Jota". Neves' friend Diogo Jota died in a car accident. The association reacts and pronounces a punishment.
saarbruecker-zeitung.de
volksfreund.deIn the Saudi Pro League, fans call out to the Portuguese Rúben Neves "Jota, Jota". Neves' friend Diogo Jota died in a car accident. The association reacts and pronounces a punishment.
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