Al-Taawoun Handed Fine and Two-Game Stadium Ban Over Ruben Neves Chants
A Saudi club have been fined 100,000 riyals (£20,000/€23,000) and ordered to stage their next two home matches without spectators after abusive chants were aimed at Al-Hilal midfielder Ruben Neves during a 6-0 defeat.
Quick facts
- The sanction includes a 100,000-riyal fine and two closed-door home fixtures.
- Supporters directed offensive chants at Ruben Neves, a close friend of the late Portuguese forward.
- Head coach Zarko Lazetic was dismissed after the 6-0 loss, with former player Jihad Al-Hussain appointed.
- The club sit 17th after taking three points from seven league games.
- Al-Rayyan and Al-Qadsiah will visit behind closed doors.
The chants caused particular distress for Neves, who was among the pallbearers at his compatriot’s funeral. After the match, the Portugal international said he hoped those responsible would reflect seriously on their conduct and not proceed to prayer after what they had done.
Cristiano Ronaldo called for firm action from the competition’s authorities. The Al-Nassr forward said such conduct had gone beyond football and argued that supporters behaving in that manner should be barred from stadiums.
The disciplinary ruling arrived alongside immediate upheaval on the sporting side. Lazetic lost his job after the heavy defeat, with Al-Hussain brought in to lead a side already facing an early fight near the foot of the table.
The club finished sixth last season but have made a damaging start to the new domestic campaign. Their three points from seven matches leave them in 17th place, while the crowd ban will remove home support for the visits of Al-Rayyan and Al-Qadsiah.
Al-Hussain’s first task is to turn attention to Wednesday’s AFC Champions League Two opener against Omani side Al-Nahda. The side then return from the international break with an away match against Al-Shabab on 11 October.
Three days after that trip, Al-Rayyan are due to arrive for the first of the sanctioned home games. With the club dealing with disciplinary consequences, a coaching change and relegation pressure, the coming fixtures will test whether Al-Hussain can quickly restore stability.
