Cristiano Ronaldo has demanded severe punishment for supporters who appeared to taunt Rúben Neves with chants referencing the late Diogo Jota during a Saudi Pro League fixture, insisting those responsible should never be permitted inside a football stadium again.
The incident unfolded on Saturday as Al-Hilal, Neves's club, faced Al-Taawoun in Buraydah. Video footage that later spread across social media appeared to capture sections of the crowd chanting Jota's name in what was widely interpreted as a taunt aimed at Neves, who was a close friend of the former Liverpool forward.
Jota died last year in a car accident in Zamora, in north-western Spain, alongside his brother André Silva. Neves, who had a close personal bond with Jota, served as a pallbearer at his funeral, underscoring the depth of the loss he experienced.
During the match, Neves was seen reacting to the chants by gesturing toward his eye before pointing skyward, a response widely seen as a tribute to his late friend rather than a confrontation with the crowd. Speaking to reporters afterward in the mixed zone, Neves offered a pointed remark about those involved, saying, "I hope they don't go to pray afterwards."
Al-Hilal went on to win the match comfortably, defeating Al-Taawoun 6-0. Neves remained on the pitch for 75 minutes before being substituted late in the contest.
The episode quickly drew condemnation beyond the stadium, with Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in the same league, using his personal Instagram account to respond to a post showing footage of the chants. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner did not hold back in his criticism of the behavior, calling for the league's governing bodies to intervene decisively.
"The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour," Ronaldo wrote. "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."
Ronaldo's comments carry particular weight given his stature as one of the most recognizable figures in the Saudi Pro League since his move to Al-Nassr in 2022. His intervention places additional pressure on Saudi football authorities to address the incident publicly and determine whether any disciplinary measures will be taken against Al-Taawoun or individual supporters identified in the footage.
As of now, neither Al-Taawoun nor Al-Hilal have issued an official statement addressing the incident, though the clubs have reportedly been contacted for comment by international media outlets.
The controversy adds to ongoing global conversations about fan conduct and the boundaries of stadium behavior, particularly in cases involving sensitive personal tragedies. Jota's death last year sent shockwaves through the football community, with tributes pouring in from clubs and players across Europe and beyond. His close relationship with several current Saudi Pro League players, including Neves, means the emotional resonance of the incident extends well past the confines of a single match result.
Whether the league will respond with the kind of punitive measures Ronaldo has called for remains to be seen, but the incident has reignited scrutiny over supporter behavior in a competition that has increasingly attracted global attention following the arrival of numerous high-profile international players in recent seasons.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.