Ronaldo demands stadium bans after chants targeting Diogo Jota

Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly demanded sanctions from the Saudi Pro League after Al-Taawoun supporters chanted the name of Diogo Jota during a stoppage in play in their match against Al-Hilal this weekend. The former Portugal international, a close friend of Ruben Neves, died in July 2025 in a road accident.

The chants were directly aimed at Neves, who plays for Al-Hilal. The midfielder did not hide his reaction on the pitch, before speaking bluntly to the press after the match: “I just hope they don’t go pray after what they did.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, Al-Nassr forward and also close to the former Liverpool player, went further by demanding concrete measures. “The league must take action and sanction this kind of behavior from supporters. This is no longer football, and we need to set limits. People who behave this way should never be allowed to enter a stadium again.”

The condemnation extends beyond the Portuguese players alone. Al-Ahli midfielder Saleh Abu Al-Shamat also spoke out, invoking his religious convictions: “I think it is my duty, as a Muslim, to speak out about this and warn others. No matter how intense the rivalry, we must never attack the families of victims or the dead. It was unacceptable.”

The Saudi Pro League has not yet commented on any potential disciplinary proceedings against the supporters involved.