Saudi outfit Al-Taawoun have been hit with a stadium ban after Cristiano Ronaldo called for a punishment for their fans for their chanting. A section of the fans chanted the name of Diogo Jota at Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves during their Saudi Pro League encounter last weekend.
Al-Taawoun will play their next two home games, against Al-Qadsiah on October 18 and Al-Ettifaq 11 days later, behind closed doors. The club will also be required to pay a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals (£20,000) as part of their punishment.
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The punishment comes after the fans targeted Neves with chants of “Jota” as a way of getting to him during Al-Hilal’s 6-0 mauling of their side. The Portugal international very clearly heard the chants and signalled to the fans that God was watching them. At the mixed zone after the game, he told reporters that he hopes that the fans who made such chants do not go to pray after the game.
Incensed by the incident, Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo led calls for punishments to be meted out to the erring fans for their disgraceful behaviour. He asked that such fans be given lifetime bans from stadiums, as their actions have crossed a line which ought not to be.
Diogo Jota passed away last summer in a road accident along with his brother Andre Silva. He was 28 years old and the best friend of Ruben Neves when he died, making the actions of the fans particularly hurtful to the midfielder.
Cristiano Ronaldo could leave Al-Nassr in January
Cristiano Ronaldo may be in his final months at Al-Nassr, with reports linking the 41-year-old with a move away from the club in January. The Portugal international is in the final year of his contract, but could now leave before June 2027, when the contract is due to expire.
According to journalist Saud Al-Sarami, the former Manchester United man is preparing to leave the reigning Saudi Pro League champions in the January transfer window. His potential destination remains a mystery, but a good number of clubs would be interested in signing the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, even on a short-term deal.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been in Saudi Arabia since January 2023, having joined Al-Nassr after his Manchester United contract was terminated. He has played 149 times for the Knights of Najd, scoring 126 goals for the club. A move back to his boyhood club Sporting CP could be an option, given the significance of his ending his career where it all began.
Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen