Al Taawoun fined 100,000 Saudi riyals and ordered to play two home games without fans over Ruben Neves chants

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation’s Discipline and Ethics Committee has imposed a 100,000 Saudi riyal fine on Al Taawoun after some of the club’s supporters directed offensive chants at Al Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves.

The club must pay the fine into the account of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and will also be forced to play its next two successive home matches without supporters.

The sanctions follow chants aimed at Neves during Al Hilal’s match against Al Taawoun. The chants referred to the death of Neves’ compatriot and friend, Diogo Jota, prompting widespread anger in Saudi Arabia and beyond.

The committee said the punishment was not limited to the financial penalty, with the two-match stadium ban intended to ensure that Al Taawoun’s stands remain empty for its next two home fixtures.

The decision follows a formal complaint submitted by Al Hilal to the Saudi Arabian Football Federation after the incident.

Al Taawoun had previously issued a statement rejecting the offensive chants and insisted that the behaviour was the responsibility of individuals and did not represent either the club or its supporters. The club also said it was prepared to take the necessary action against those responsible.

The Discipline and Ethics Committee confirmed that its ruling against Al Taawoun cannot be appealed, making the sanctions final and immediately enforceable.

The decision brings to an end the dispute surrounding the chants, which caused particular outrage because they targeted Neves while he was mourning the death of Jota.