Saudi Arabia’s Al-Taawoun punished over chants of Jota’s name
In Saudi Arabia, the Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation ordered Al-Taawoun to play its next two Saudi Pro League home matches behind closed doors and fined the club 100,000 Saudi riyals, or $26,660. As The National reports, the sanctions were imposed after fans chanted the name of late Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota during a match against Al-Hilal.
Reaction from Neves and the clubs
The incident involved Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves, a close friend and former teammate of Jota. Jota died in a car crash in Spain last year along with his brother Andre Silva. Neves was among those who carried the footballer’s coffin at the funeral.
In the Saudi Pro League match, Al-Hilal defeated Al-Taawoun 6-0. Videos circulated on social media showing part of the stands chanting “Jota.” In response, Neves pointed to his eye and then to the sky, and after the match he expressed hope that those fans would not go to pray.
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The behavior of some spectators was also criticized by Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who called on the authorities to take decisive action. Al-Hilal said it had filed a complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and described the chants as offensive and unacceptable. Al-Taawoun condemned the behavior, stating that it does not represent either the club or its fans.
Asian Champions League match
A few days after the incident, Neves scored a penalty and provided an assist in Al-Hilal’s opening match in the elite AFC Champions League. Simone Inzaghi’s team defeated Qatar’s Al-Gharafa 2-1.
In the 32nd minute, Crysencio Summerville and Ismael Bennacer received red cards, leaving both teams with 10 players. Neves converted the penalty in first-half stoppage time and assisted Sergej Milinkovic-Savic in the 72nd minute. Al-Gharafa reduced the deficit in added time through a strike by Alaaeddine Hassan.
