UEFA, the governing body for European football, has imposed various disciplinary actions on Balkan nations due to nationalist incidents during the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany.
Albanian striker Mirlind Daku received a two-game suspension for leading fans in anti-Macedonian chants after the Albania-Croatia match on Wednesday.
The Albanian Football Federation was fined €47,250 for the incident. Daku apologized on social media, and UEFA has assigned an investigator to look into his conduct.
This suspension means Daku will miss Albania’s crucial group-stage game against Spain on Monday and, if Albania advances, the first knockout game.
Additionally, Croatia is under investigation for “potential racist and/or discriminatory conduct” as their fans reportedly joined Albanian fans in chanting “Kill the Serbs” during the same match.
Serbia had previously warned they would withdraw from Euro 2024 if UEFA didn’t address such issues.
Football federations are held accountable for their fans’ actions during matches.
Albania has accumulated numerous disciplinary actions, including fines totalling €27,375 for incidents during their match against Italy on June 15, where fans lit flares and fireworks, threw beer cups, and stormed the pitch. Another €10,000 fine was issued for displaying a map of Albania with extended borders.
Similarly, Serbia was fined for displaying a nationalist banner featuring Kosovo and the slogan “No Surrender” during their June 16 game against England.
UEFA described this message as provocative and unsuitable for a sports event. The Serbian Football Association was also fined €4,500 for fans throwing objects from the stands.
Kosovar journalist Arlind Sadiku had his Euro 2024 media accreditation revoked by UEFA for making a nationalist double-headed eagle gesture towards Serbian fans during the Serbia-England match on June 16. The gesture, significant in Albanian and Kosovar ethnic pride, was deemed provocative.
