Cristiano Ronaldo has demanded lifetime bans for supporters who taunted Ruben Neves over the death of former Liverpool star Diogo Jota.
Fans of Saudi Pro League side Al-Taawoun repeatedly chanted Jota’s name in Neves’ direction during the game against Al-Hilal on Saturday.
Jota, a former Portugal team-mate of both Neves and Ronaldo, was killed in a car crash in Northern Spain in July 2025. Neves was Jota’s best friend and a pallbearer at his funeral.
Ronaldo, who also plays in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr, took to social media to demand action be taken.
He wrote: “The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour. This is no longer football, and there have to be limits. People who behave like this should never be allowed to enter a stadium again.”
Neves showed his disgust during the game, indicating that ‘God is watching’ by pointing at the sky, his eyes and then the fans during a game his side won 6-0.
Afterwards, he was asked about the incidents, and said: “I hope they [the fans] don’t go to prayer later.”
Saudi international disgusted by chants
Al-Ahli’s Saudi Arabia international Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, also spoke out against the fans’ actions.
“I wanted to draw attention to something we all witnessed today. I felt it was my duty – as a Muslim – to share this and raise awareness,’ Abu Al-Shamat wrote on Instagram.
“No-one is perfect, of course, but regarding the actions of some Al-Taawoun fans during the match against Al-Hilal: this isn’t just about our club; it concerns our great religion, Islam.
“No matter how intense the rivalry or the situation, we should never stoop to gloating over the dead, engaging in slander, or attacking people’s families or the deceased.
“We live in an Islamic country, and it is our duty to show the world what Islam truly represents—a religion of love, tolerance, and respect. I hope we can leverage the massive attention our league is receiving to project the best possible image of Islam.
“By doing so, we might foster goodwill and help others learn about our faith. That is the message I wanted to convey; I felt a personal obligation, as a Muslim living in this great Islamic nation, to speak out against what is happening – because it is wrong and unacceptable.”
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