Diogo Jota's former teammate Ruben Neves was subjected to distasteful chants in Saudi Pro League action and he has now provided two clear responses
Ruben Neves has responded to Diogo Jota chants from Al-Taawoun supporters
Ruben Neves has responded to Diogo Jota chants from Al-Taawoun supporters(Image: (Photo by Abdullah Ahmed/Getty Images))
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Ruben Neves has admitted he hopes Al-Taawoun supporters "don't go to prayer" after shameful chants about his late friend and international teammate Diogo Jota. The Portugal international was in action for Al-Hilal in the Saudi Pro League with footage emerging of chants aimed in his direction about Jota.
Neves promptly responded to those by appearing to signal to the fans that 'God is watching', having pointed towards the sky, his own eyes and then in the direction of those in attendance chanting. He repeated this gesture several times before turning his focus back onto the game.
In the mixed zone, following his side's 6-0 win, Neves told reporters: "I hope they don't go to pray, because God doesn't deserve that." The 29-year-old and Jota were extremely close having played together for the Portugal national team and at Wolves before the latter joined Liverpool.
Jota was on his way back to pre-season training just over a week after marrying Rute Cardoso when he and his brother Andre Silva were killed in a car crash.
Neves was one of the pallbearers at Jota's funeral with the midfielder given his No.21 shirt for the national team having also revealed he had a leg tattoo as a tribute to Jota.
The chants have also been condemned in the Middle East with prominent Saudi football broadcaster, Waleed Al-Farraj, describing the actions of some as "improper".
He said: "For you to say 'Messi' to [Cristiano] Ronaldo, this goes within the competition that exists between them, but to chant at Neves, the Al-Hilal player, with the name of his deceased team-mate Jota, this is an improper act. 'How do you play on people's sorrows in this way? You must have some humanity."
Cristiano Ronaldo and Diogo Jota
Cristiano Ronaldo has spoken out against the distasteful Diogo Jota chants
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Ronaldo himself took to Instagram to slam the awful chants and called for those involved to be given lifetime bans. He said: "The league must take action and punish this kind of fan behaviour.
"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.”
Saudi Arabian international Saleh Abu Al-Shamat, who plays for Al-Ahli, also labelled the chants as "unacceptable" in a social media post.
Liverpool continue to pay tribute to Jota with fans applauding during home games in the 20th minute, Jota's shirt number which has also been retired by the club.
A memorial for Jota and Andre has also been installed at Anfield and reads "Forever 20, he will take us to victory, oh his name is Diogo." The club have also stated that it, "celebrates their lives, their bond, and the love and respect felt by family, teammates and supporters across the world."
Jordan Henderson, Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah are just a few ex Liverpool players to have paid tribute to Jota by performing his video-gaming goal celebration.