Accra: Cristiano Ronaldo has called on the Saudi Pro League to enforce strict bans on fans who chanted about his late Portugal team-mate, Diogo Jota, during a recent match between Al-Taawoun and Al-Hilal. The incident took place on Saturday, with Ronaldo not participating in the match, but Ruben Neves, a fellow Portuguese player, was present on the field for Al-Hilal.
According to Ghana News Agency, footage circulating on social media captured Neves, a former Wolves midfielder, gesturing towards the sky in response to the chants of 'Jota' emanating from sections of the crowd. Jota tragically passed away in 2025 along with his brother Andre Silva in a car accident in Spain. Neves, deeply affected by the loss, had served as a pallbearer at Jota's funeral.
The match concluded with Al-Hilal securing a decisive 6-0 victory. Ronaldo, later commenting on Instagram, expressed his dismay over the incident. He urged the league to take firm action against such fan behavior, emphasizing that it transcends the spirit of football and should not be tolerated. Ronaldo insisted that individuals who engage in such actions should be permanently barred from entering stadiums.