Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans for fans involved in Jota chants
Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime stadium bans for supporters who repeatedly chanted the name of the late Diogo Jota at his Portugal team-mate Ruben Neves.
Saudi Pro League, Saudi FA, Al Hilal and Al Taawoun clubs have condemned Diogo Jota chanting, with an investigation under way; Ruben Neves says he hopes the supporters "don't go to pray later" after the incident; Cristiano Ronaldo says league "must take action"
Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime stadium bans for supporters who repeatedly chanted the name of the late Diogo Jota at his Portugal team-mate Ruben Neves.
Neves was targeted by a section of fans during Al Hilal's 6-0 Saudi Pro League win over Al Taawoun on Saturday, who repeatedly shouted "Jota" at the midfielder.
Jota, the Liverpool forward and former Wolves player, died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in Spain last July, aged 28.
Neves was a close friend and former team-mate of Jota at both Wolves and with Portugal. He now wears the No 21 shirt for his country in his memory and has a tattoo depicting the pair embracing.
Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi rivals Al Nassr, condemned the chants on social media.
"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."
Neves was seen sarcastically applauding the supporters before pointing to the sky during the incident.
After the match, he said: "I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did."
Both clubs subsequently condemned the behaviour, while the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and Saudi Pro League also issued a joint statement.
The governing bodies described the conduct as "inconsistent with the values of Saudi football and the principles of sportsmanship", adding that using personal tragedies to abuse or provoke others was unacceptable.
The SAFF confirmed its relevant committees had identified the incident and were investigating.
Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in 2020 and scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club. He also scored 14 times in 49 Portugal appearances after making his international debut in 2019.
