Cristiano Ronaldo Calls for Lifetime Stadium Bans Following Disrespectful Chants During Saudi Pro League Match

Cristiano Ronaldo has publicly called for lifetime stadium bans for spectators who targeted Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves with chants referencing his late former teammate, Diogo Jota. The incident took place during a match between Al-Taawoun and Al-Hilal in Buraydah, Saudi Arabia.

Diogo Jota tragically died in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, on July 3, 2025, alongside his brother, Andre Silva. Neves, who served as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral, was clearly affected by the taunts during the game, which Al-Hilal won 6-0. Following the match, where he played 75 minutes, Neves gestured toward his eye and the sky before telling reporters in the mixed zone, “I hope they don’t go to pray afterwards.”

The offensive chants, captured in video footage that later circulated on social media, prompted a swift reaction from Ronaldo. Commenting on an Instagram post documenting the incident, the star forward stated, “The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour,” adding that such conduct crosses a line and warrants permanent exclusion from sporting venues.

In response to the controversy, Al-Hilal officially filed a formal complaint with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. The club emphasized its commitment to protecting the integrity of the game, stating they reject any actions intended to cause personal offense to players or their families. They expressed full confidence that the federation would implement necessary measures to address the situation.

Al-Taawoun also issued a strong condemnation of the behavior displayed by some of their supporters. The club described the chants as completely unacceptable, noting that such actions do not reflect the values of their organization or their fanbase. Moving forward, the club has pledged to coordinate with relevant authorities to identify the offenders and implement measures to prevent any future recurrence of such events. The report also notes that “This is no longer football, and there have to ⁠be limits. The report also notes that people who behave like this should never be ⁠allowed to enter a stadium again.”.