Sport · Singapore Bureau
Saudi club Al Taawoun penalised for tribute chants to late Portuguese star
The Saudi Arabian Football Federation has suspended Al Taawoun's home stadium access for two matches and imposed a fine after supporters chanted the name of deceased Portugal forward Diogo Jota during a recent league fixture.
LSN Singapore ·
Al Taawoun has been handed a two-match stadium closure order and fined 100,000 riyals (approximately $26,660) by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee. The penalties were issued following incidents during Saturday's Saudi Pro League match against rivals Al Hilal, when the club's supporters chanted in tribute to the late Portuguese footballer.
The Disciplinary and Ethics Committee determined that the chanting breached regulations governing supporter conduct during official matches. Under the ruling, Al Taawoun will be forced to play their next two home Saudi Pro League fixtures behind closed doors, preventing supporters from attending the matches.
The decision represents a strict enforcement of the federation's codes of conduct, which govern behaviour during sanctioned football competitions. Al Taawoun joins other clubs across regional football leagues that have faced similar sanctions in recent years for breaches of disciplinary rules.
The penalty comes as Saudi football continues its development under increased global scrutiny and investment, with the Saudi Pro League having attracted international attention and high-profile player transfers in recent seasons.