Why the Jota chants cut so deep

The Saudi Pro League side also secured a fine of 100,000 Saudi Riyals, around £20,000, the BBC reports.

Supporters targeted Neves by shouting "Jota" at him as Al-Taawoun were falling behind by six goals to none.

A little over a year ago, Liverpool forward Diogo Jota got himself in a very serious car crash at the age of 28. His brother was with him at the time of the accident as neither survived.

Jota and Neves were close friends, having played together at Wolverhampton Wanderers and for Portugal.

Neves now wears the number 21 shirt for Portugal in Jota's memory, has a tattoo on his calf of the pair embracing, and was a pallbearer at Jota's funeral.

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

Cristiano Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia and was an international team-mate of Jota's, called for lifetime bans for the fans involved.

Al-Taawoun themselves did not defend the behaviour.

"Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and does not represent the club, its fans, or the values for which the club is known," the club said in a statement.

"Sports competition cannot be a justification for insulting, belittling, or bullying others at the expense of anyone's feelings."