The Saudi Pro League has been ramping up a heated debate following Ronaldo fan bans as Cristiano Ronaldo has urged for “defamatory, violent and abusive” fans of Al-Hilal to be banned from their stadium for life.
This took place on September 12 at Al-Hilal’s league game against Al Taawoun. The video posted on social media seemed to capture Neves marking a free kick at the Al Taawoun’s home ground before some fans started chanting the name of late Portuguese star Diogo Jota.
He was a close friend and former Portugal teammate of Jota and answered the calls with a sarcastic clap and a thumbs-up. He then looked up at the sky and seemed to make a gesture at his eye and then towards the chanting supporters.
Together with his younger brother Andre Silva, Jota died in a car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025. The two players shared a personal connection as Neves was one of the participants at Jota’s funeral, carrying his coffin.
Ronaldo then condemned the actions and urged football officials to take decisive measures against football fans who cross the line from rivalry to abuse. The Portugal captain added that fans who cause such incidents should not be allowed in stadiums forever.
The matter has shed new light on supporter behaviour in Saudi football, especially as the league becomes a bigger part of the world’s spotlight with its high-profile stars and profile. The incident is of extra-special significance, too, because Neves is still a major figure for Al-Hilal and Portugal, and Jota’s death is still being felt by his former teammates and fans.
