The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has fined Al-Taawoun 100,000 riyals and ordered the club to play two home matches behind closed doors after supporters directed offensive chants at the late Diogo Jota during a 6-0 defeat by Al-Hilal.
The punishment follows chants aimed at Ruben Neves, Jota’s Portugal team-mate and close friend. Neves also served as a pallbearer at Jota’s funeral.
The Saudi FA’s disciplinary action means Al-Taawoun will lose home support for their next two fixtures. The club must also pay the 100,000-riyal fine, worth about £20,000 or €23,000.
The incident drew criticism from figures across Saudi football.
Al-Nassr forward Cristiano Ronaldo called on the authorities to take firm action against supporters involved.
“The league must take action and punish this kind of supporter behaviour. This is no longer football, and boundaries must be set. People who behave like this should never be allowed inside a stadium again,” Ronaldo said.
Neves also spoke about the chants after the final whistle.
“I hope these people, after what they did, do not go and pray,” the Al-Hilal midfielder said.
The heavy defeat created further problems for Al-Taawoun. Club officials dismissed head coach Zarko Lazetic after the match and appointed former player Jihad Al-Hussain to take charge.
Al-Taawoun had collected only three points from their first seven league matches and sat 17th in the table.
The club now face their next home fixtures against Al-Rayyan and Al-Qadsiah without supporters inside the stadium.
