Saudi club fined, fans banned for Jota chants

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has fined Al Taawoun 100,000 riyals ($26,660) and ordered the club to play their next two home Saudi Pro League matches behind closed doors after their fans were filmed chanting the name of Diogo Jota during Saturday's 6-0 loss to Al Hilal. Jota, a Liverpool and Portugal forward, died in July 2025 alongside his brother in a car crash in Zamora, Spain. Al Hilal's Rúben Neves, a close friend and former teammate of Jota, was visibly affected by the chants and told reporters after the match: 'I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did.'