Club Punished Over Fans Chanting Diogo Jota's Name

The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation has ruled against Al-Taawoun FC.

Operativ Media reports that the decision is related to an incident during the seventh-round Saudi Pro League match, which Al-Taawoun lost 0-6 to Al-Hilal.

During the match, the home team's fans repeatedly chanted the name of the deceased Portuguese footballer Diogo Jota. This action was reportedly intended to provoke Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves, a close friend and former teammate of Jota at Wolverhampton and the Portugal national team.

Under the committee's decision, Al-Taawoun will play their next two home matches in the Saudi league behind closed doors. The club was also fined approximately €23,000.

The fans' actions were deemed a violation of Article 51-2 of the disciplinary regulations. The punishment was increased under Article 39-4.

The decision is final and cannot be appealed.