Cristiano Ronaldo âÂÂhas said that fans who appeared to make chants referencing â former teammate Diogo â Jota at Ruben Neves during a Saudi Pro League match should be banned from football stadiums for life.
The chants occurred on Saturday during â a fixture between Al-Taawoun and NevesâÂÂs side Al-Hilal in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.
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Jota died on July 3, 2025, in a car crash in Zamora, northwestern Spain, along â with his brother Andre Silva. A close friend of Jota, Neves was a pallbearer at his funeral.
Footage filmed from the stands during the match and circulated on social media appeared to show supporters chanting âÂÂJotaâÂÂ.
The shouts attracted the attention of Neves, who âÂÂpointed to his eye and then up to the sky in response.
Passing through the mixed zone after the game, Neves commented, âÂÂI hope they donâÂÂt go to pray afterwards.âÂÂ
In response to an Instagram post showing the footage, Ronaldo commented from his personal account.
âÂÂThe league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour,â said Ronaldo.
âÂÂThis is no longer football, and there have to â be limits. People who behave like this should never be â allowed to enter a stadium again.âÂÂ
The game finished 6-0 to Al-Hilal, with Neves playing 75 minutes before being substituted.
Al-Hilal Club Company announced in a statement on their website on Sunday that they â had filed a complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation relating to the incident. The Saudi Pro League club said they â were âÂÂconfidentâ that measures would be taken to âÂÂprotect the integrity â of sporting competition from offensive practicesâÂÂ.
âÂÂThe Company expressed its absolute rejection of such actions targeting players or their families, or intended to cause personal offence,â said Al-HilalâÂÂs statement.
Later on Sunday, Al-Taawoun also released âÂÂa statement regarding the incident, which strongly condemned the offensive chants.
âÂÂSuch conduct is completely unacceptable and does not represent Al-Taawoun, its supporters or the values for which âÂÂits âÂÂterraces are known.âÂÂ
Al-Taawoun say they will âÂÂtake all necessary measures in coordination with the relevant authorities to prevent a recurrence and hold offenders accountableâÂÂ.