Ronaldo Seeks Stadium Bans Over ‘Jota’ Chants

Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime stadium bans for supporters who allegedly taunted his Portugal teammate Rúben Neves with chants referencing the late Diogo Jota.

The incident occurred during Al-Hilal’s 6-0 victory over Al-Taawoun in the Saudi Pro League, when sections of the home crowd reportedly chanted Jota’s name while Neves prepared to take a free-kick.

Neves, who was a close friend and former teammate of Jota, appeared visibly upset by the chants. He responded by gesturing towards the supporters and pointing towards the sky.

Jota, the former Liverpool and Portugal forward, died in a car accident in Spain in July 2025 alongside his younger brother, André Silva. Neves was among those close to Jota and was a pallbearer at his funeral.

The incident drew widespread condemnation, with Ronaldo becoming one of the highest-profile figures to demand punishment for the supporters involved.

“The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour,” Ronaldo said. “This is no longer football, and there have to be limits.”

He added that people who behaved in such a manner should never be allowed to enter a stadium again.

Neves also expressed his anger after the match, saying he hoped those responsible would reflect on their actions.

The controversy has placed renewed attention on the limits of football rivalry and the use of personal tragedies to provoke players.

Al-Hilal condemned the alleged chants and submitted a formal complaint to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, calling for action against those responsible.

Al-Taawoun also condemned the behaviour and said it would cooperate with any investigation.

The Saudi Pro League and the federation have subsequently condemned the incident, stressing that exploiting personal tragedies to provoke players is unacceptable.

Ronaldo’s intervention has increased pressure on Saudi football authorities to identify the supporters involved and impose sanctions.

The incident also highlights the continuing emotional impact of Jota’s death on his former teammates, particularly Neves, who shared both club and international football experiences with the Portuguese forward.

Despite the controversy, Al-Hilal completed a dominant victory, with the result moving them to the top of the Saudi Pro League standings.