Cristiano Ronaldo has called for lifetime stadium bans for supporters who repeatedly chanted the name of the late Diogo Jota at his Portugal team-mate Ruben Neves during Al Hilal's 6-0 Saudi Pro League win over Al Taawoun on Saturday. Jota, the Liverpool forward and former Wolves player, died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in Spain last July, aged 28. Neves was a close friend and former team-mate of Jota at both Wolves and with Portugal, wearing the No 21 shirt for his country in his memory.

Ronaldo, who plays for Saudi rivals Al Nassr, condemned the chants on social media, stating the league must take action and punish this fan behaviour. He added that people who behave like this should never be allowed to enter a stadium again. Neves responded by sarcastically applauding the supporters before pointing to the sky, later saying he hoped they don't go to pray after what they did.

Both clubs subsequently condemned the behaviour, while the Saudi Arabian Football Federation and Saudi Pro League issued a joint statement describing the conduct as inconsistent with the values of Saudi football and the principles of sportsmanship. The SAFF confirmed its relevant committees had identified the incident and were investigating.