Al Taawoun FC issued an official statement disowning the chants targeting Al Hilal’s Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves using the name of his late friend Diogo Jota, condemning the incident and initiating coordination with relevant authorities to prevent any recurrence.
The incident occurred during Al Hilal’s resounding 6-0 victory over Al Taawoun on Matchday 7 of the Saudi Pro League, as select spectators chanted Jota’s name as Neves approached the stands, triggering a global outcry after video footage went viral.
Al Hilal Take Official Action to Protect Ruben Neves
Al Hilal confirmed in their statement that the chants originated from a section of Al Taawoun supporters, characterizing the behavior as “contrary to sportsmanship and moral values,” while emphasizing absolute rejection of any actions targeting players or their families personally.
Moving beyond public condemnation, Al Hilal announced the commencement of formal legal proceedings and the submission of an official complaint to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to safeguard Neves’ rights and hold those responsible accountable.
Al Taawoun responded by expressing firm condemnation and disapproval of the actions committed by select individuals. However, the club stressed that these isolated incidents should not be attributed to their fanbase as a whole, reiterating pride in their supporters’ sporting conduct while pledging to collaborate with authorities to penalize offenders.
Cristiano Ronaldo Demands Lifetime Stadium Bans
Cristiano Ronaldo, captain of Al Nassr and the Portugal national team, entered the discussion by calling on the Saudi Pro League to take decisive action against those responsible, asserting that the incident crossed the boundaries of football and that those involved should be barred from entering stadiums permanently.
During the match, Neves responded by pointing toward the sky, later stating in post-match remarks that he hoped those chanting would not attend prayers given their actions. Neves shared a deep bond with Jota dating back to their time together at FC Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and the Portugal national team, and served as a pallbearer following Jota’s tragic death in a July 2025 car crash.
The story gained international traction as Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Greek media outlets reported on the provocation, condemning the use of Jota’s passing for sporting taunts and placing Saudi football governing bodies under scrutiny pending official rulings on Al Hilal’s complaint.
