Cristiano Ronaldo has called for any Al-Taawoun supporters who chanted Diogo Jota's name in the direction of Ruben Neves to be given lifetime bans. The chants were directed at Neves while he was playing for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League.
The conduct of some supporters has already been heavily condemned in the Middle East by several prominent figures, and now Ronaldo has commented on the situation. The Al-Nassr forward wants punishments to be dished out and has made his demands to authorities clear.
Ronaldo's demand for action
Speaking on Instagram, Ronaldo said: "The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour. This is no longer football, and there have to be limits. People who behave like this should never be allowed to enter a stadium again."
Neves also spoke out on the incident after the game, telling reporters in the mixed zone: "I hope they don't go to pray, because God doesn't deserve that." Footage had earlier emerged of Neves gesturing to those fans, where he appeared to suggest that 'God is watching' as he pointed to the sky, his eyes and then back towards those in the stands.
Broadcaster condemns chants
Prominent Saudi football broadcaster Waleed Al-Farraj has also spoken out against the chants. He said: "For you to say 'Messi' to Ronaldo, this goes within the competition that exists between them, but to chant at Neves, with the name of his deceased team-mate Jota, this is an improper act. How do you play on people's sorrows in this way? You must have some humanity."
Jota and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash last July, with Neves and Ronaldo among his teammates to have paid tribute following his tragic death. Ronaldo led Portugal tributes to Jota earlier this year when they put on Jota's No. 21 Portugal jersey at full-time of their World Cup win over Croatia.
Tributes continue
Neves has since inherited his friend's No. 21 shirt for the national team and has revealed he has had a tattoo etched on his leg as a permanent tribute. Neves also served as a pallbearer at Jota's funeral, while Ronaldo opted not to attend in order to ensure the focus was on Jota.
Liverpool are also carrying his legacy by applauding in the 20th minute during every game at Anfield, while a memorial to him and his brother has also been built. The likes of Jordan Henderson, Mohamed Salah and Luis Diaz have also paid tribute by doing his video-gaming celebration.
