Ronaldo wants individuals banned for life after Jota chants

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FT Desk

Cristiano Ronaldo has called for individuals who made chants about his former team-mate Diogo Jota to be banned from attending football for life.

Last summer, the football world was left shocked when news circulated that Jota had died after a car accident in Spain, ahead of the 2025/26 season.

There was an outpouring of grief, particularly among his friends, family and his team-mates at Liverpool and Portugal.

Ahead of Al-Hilal's 6-0 win against Al-Taawoun this past weekend, individuals in the stands targeted Portugal midfielder Ruben Neves and repeatedly shouted "Jota" at him, in reference to the fallen star.

Rúben Neves, tras el partido: "Espero que no vayan a rezar después de lo que han hecho".pic.twitter.com/WrIEgw4Sd1 https://t.co/aeLvq6GiKl

— Albert Ortega (@AlbertOrtegaES1) September 13, 2026

After the match, Neves told reporters: "I just hope they don't go to pray later after what they did."

Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Hilal's rivals Al-Nassr, condemned the chants on social media.

"The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour," he wrote.

"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."

Jota joined Liverpool from Wolves in September of 2020 and played for Liverpool until his passing in July 2025. Across his career at Anfield, he made 182 appearances and scored 65 goals in all competitions.

"The company expressed its absolute rejection of such actions targeting players or their families, or intended to cause personal offence," Al-Hilal said in a club statement.

Al-Taawoun's statement said: "Such conduct is completely unacceptable and does not represent Al-Taawoun, its supporters or the values for which its terraces are known."

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) and the Saudi Pro League (SPL) also slammed the supporters' behaviour on Sunday.

The individuals involved have already reportedly been identified.