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.
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Saudi club fined and ordered to play behind closed doors after apparent Diogo Jota fan taunts
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi club Al-Taawon has been fined and ordered to play behind closed doors after video appeared to show fans chanting about the late Portugal forward Diogo Jota. The Saudi soccer federation said fans had “chanted phrases and slogans that violated” its ethics. Al-Taawon was fined 100,000 Saudi Riyals (around $26,700)
The football atmosphere in Saudi Arabia became red hot after the supporters of Al Tawuun, where Bulgarian international Marin Petkov shines, indulged in extremely inappropriate chants during the home match against Al Hilal. As a result, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Football Federation imposed an unprecedented punishment on the club – two matches without spectators and a fine of 100,000 Saudi riyals. During the seventh round…
Sapo
SIC NotíciasA regrettable episode took place during the match between Al Taawon and Al Hilal this weekend. With Ruben Neves on the field, the rivals played the name Diogo Jota, a Portuguese player who died last year. The Saudi Federation did not let go blank.
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