Al-Taawoun ordered to play two matches behind closed doors over Jota chants

Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun has been ordered to play two matches behind closed doors after fans taunted Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves over the death of his friend Diogo Jota. The ban follows the club's failure to control the crowd and address the hateful chants. The sanction will affect the team's home fixtures in the coming weeks.

Al-Taawoun has been ordered by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation to play two home matches behind closed doors after supporters taunted Portuguese midfielder Ruben Neves over the death of his friend Diogo Jota.

The incident took place during a Saudi Pro League match, where fans shouted hateful chants that referenced Jota’s passing, prompting the federation to take disciplinary action.

The federation cited the club’s failure to control the crowd and protect players as the reason for the sanction, highlighting the need for better security measures.

As a result, Al-Taawoun’s upcoming home fixtures will be played without spectators, which will affect matchday revenue and fan engagement.

The club will need to address the issue and may face further disciplinary action if similar incidents occur in the future, underscoring the league’s commitment to maintaining a safe environment for players and supporters alike.