CRISTIANO RONALDO has demanded action after sickening “Jota” chants were aimed at Ruben Neves during Al-Hilal’s Saudi Pro League clash.

, called for those responsible to be BANNED from stadiums after Neves was targeted with chants about his late best friend Diogo Jota.

Saudi Pro League - Al Khaleej v Al NassrCristiano Ronaldo has added his voice to calls to punish fans who were singing sickening Jota chants Credit: Reuters Portugal v Spain - UEFA Nations League 2025 FinalThe chants were directed at Jota’s close pal Ruben Neves during a Saudi League game Credit: Getty

Liverpool hero Jota tragically died alongside his brother

Neves was devastated by the loss of his close pal and carried Jota’s coffin at his funeral.

Al-Taawoun supporters could be heard chanting “Jota! Jota! Jota!” towards the former Wolves midfielder during Saturday’s clash with Al-Hilal.

An angry Neves responded by making a “God is watching you” gesture before sarcastically applauding the supporters.

And the 29-year-old later said as he made his way through the mixed zone: “I just hope they don’t go to pray later.”

The incident sparked fury online – and superstar has now joined those demanding punishment.

Commenting on an Instagram post calling for action, Ronaldo wrote: “The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour.

Portugal v Czechia, UEFA European Championship 2024, Group F, Football, Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, Germany, 18 Jun 2024Former Liverpool forward Jota played with Cristiano in the Portugal national team before his tragic death Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Diogo Jota and Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers celebrating a goal.Neves and Jota starred together at Wolves and were playing together in the Portugal national team before his death Credit: Shutterstock Editorial FIFA World Cup 2026 - Round of 32 - Portugal v CroatiaThe entire Portugal team have tried to keep alive the memory of Jota who died in a tragic car accident Credit: Reuters

“This is no longer and there have to be limits.

“People who behave like this should never be allowed to enter a stadium again.”

Some have claimed the chants were intended as a tribute to Jota, but they were widely condemned given Neves’ close relationship with his late Portugal team-mate.

Neves and Jota spent three seasons together at Wolves and also shared a dressing room with Portugal.

Following Jota’s death, an emotional Neves vowed to remain close to his friend’s family.

He wrote: “More than a friendship, we’re family, and we won’t stop it just because now you decided to sign a contract a little further away from us.

“I’m going to make sure you’re always present and I’ll make sure that your loved ones never lack anything while you’re there, far away but thinking of us, waiting for us.

“Life has brought us together and now it can’t tear us apart.”

across all levels of the club, the first time in the Reds’ history that a squad number had been permanently withdrawn.

Saturday’s ugly scenes overshadowed an emphatic 6-0 victory for Al-Hilal, with Neves setting up Ollie Watkins for the opener before Gabriel Martinelli bagged a hat-trick.

The victory sent Al-Hilal top of the Saudi Pro League after winning six of their opening seven matches.