Cristiano Ronaldo Demands Lifetime Ban for Chanting Fans
The Star's Reaction After Al-Hilal vs. Al-Taawoun Match
Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr, has called for the Saudi league to impose a lifetime ban on fans who chanted Diogo Jota's name during the match between Al-Hilal and Al-Taawoun. The demand came after videos circulated showing fans repeatedly chanting the name of midfielder Rúben Neves' former teammate.
What Happened at the Al-Hilal Match
The match, which ended 6-0 in favor of Al-Hilal, was marked by chants mentioning Diogo Jota. Neves, who played alongside Jota at Wolverhampton Wanderers and for the Portuguese national team, reacted by pointing to the sky and then to the crowd, while fans continued to chant "Jota, Jota, Jota."
Rúben Neves' Reaction
After the game, Neves told the press: "I just hope they don't pray after what they did." He also has a tattoo on his ankle of himself and Jota embracing, commemorating their friendship.
Cristiano Ronaldo Calls for Punishment
In an Instagram post, Ronaldo wrote: "The league must act and punish this type of behavior. This is no longer football, and there need to be limits. People who act like this should never be allowed inside a stadium again."
Context of Diogo Jota's Death
Diogo Jota passed away in July 2025, at the age of 28, in a car accident in Spain, along with his brother André Silva. He had scored 65 goals in 182 appearances for Liverpool and was considered one of Portugal's most promising players.
Impact on the Saudi League
Al-Hilal won the match, and Al-Taawoun remained in 17th place in the table. The league has not yet responded to Ronaldo's request, but the incident has already sparked discussions about fan conduct in international competitions.
With information from The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian.
Source: The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian