Sports
Ronaldo calls for life bans after fans chant late Jota's name at Neves
September 13, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Coverage
2 reports · 1 in Arabic, 1 in English
Cristiano Ronaldo has said spectators who chanted the name of late footballer Diogo Jota at Ruben Neves during a Saudi Pro League match should be banned from stadiums for life.
- Ronaldo said on Instagram the league must take action and that people who behave this way should "never be allowed to enter a stadium again."
- Fans at the Al-Taawoun–Al-Hilal match in Buraydah appeared to chant "Jota," prompting Neves to point to his eye and up to the sky.
- Neves said after the game, "I hope they don't go to pray afterwards."
- Al-Hilal filed a complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, and Al-Taawoun condemned the chants and said it will hold offenders accountable.

