Ronaldo calls for lifetime bans after Neves taunted with Jota chants
Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime stadium bans after Ruben Neves was taunted with chants about his late friend Diogo Jota.
Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia's top division, said anyone who behaves like that should never be allowed inside a stadium again. His message was directed at the Saudi Pro League BBC.
The chants came before Al-Hilal's 6-0 win against Al-Taawoun on Saturday, 12 September. During a stoppage in play, a section of Al-Taawoun supporters repeatedly chanted "Jota, Jota, Jota" at Neves, Al-Hilal's midfielder The Independent. Video footage of the incident was shared widely on social media.
Neves paused and looked towards the noise. In the footage he sarcastically applauded the fans off-camera before pointing to the sky. After the match he told reporters he hoped those involved "don't go to pray later after what they did" BBC.
Ronaldo responded on social media. He wrote that the league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour. "People who behave like this should never be allowed to enter a stadium again," he wrote.
He knew both players well. Ronaldo played alongside Jota and Neves for the Portugal national team. Jota and Neves were close friends from their time together at Wolverhampton Wanderers in England and then with Portugal.
Jota died aged 28 in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora. His brother, Andre Silva, also died in the crash. Neves now wears the number 21 shirt for Portugal in Jota's memory. He also has a tattoo on his calf of the two of them embracing.
Jota signed for Liverpool from Wolves in 2020. He scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for the club. He made his Portugal debut in 2019 and scored 14 goals in 49 games.
There was criticism in Saudi Arabia too. Saudi media figure Walid Al-Farraj said the Al-Taawoun fans involved had "lost your humanity" GOAL.
What makes this stand out is the bond behind it. For Neves, Jota was not a former team-mate to remember once a year. He was a friend he carries onto the pitch every time he plays.
