The latest disciplinary procedure concerned the Albanian Mirlind Daku on Wednesday, who chanted slogans against Serbia.
The UEFAthe governing body of European football, has imposed a series of disciplinary measures to the Balkan nations for the nationalist incidents starring their teams in the Euro 2024 from Germany.
The last measure was directed at the Albanian striker Mirlind Daku, suspended for two games after leading the fans who chanted anti-Serb slogans after Wednesday’s Albania-Croatia match. The Albanian federation of football was sanctioned with a MORE of 47.250 euros for the incident.
Albanian player suspended apologized on social mediawhile UEFA appointed a internal investigator to study his “alleged inappropriate behavior.”
The suspension and fines come when Albania plays a match on Monday decisive match of the group stage, contraSpain. If Albania wins, Daku will be forced to sit out the first match of the next tie.
Meanwhile, Croatia is being investigated by “possible racist and/or discriminatory behavior“, as his supporters apparently joined the Albanians in chanting “Kill the Serbs” (in Serbian) in the same Croatia-Albania match.
Serbia had previously threatened to leave Euro 2024if UEFA did not take action. The football federations son responsible for the behavior his aficionados in the games.
Albania, the most fined team at Euro 2024
Despite having played only two matches in the tournament, Albania has already accumulated a considerable number of disciplinary procedures by bad behaviorfour of them derived from a single match against Italy on June 15.
UEFA charged the Albanian federation 27,375 euros for the lighting of flares and fireworks on the part of the fans, the beer glass toss and the emergence of a fan on the playing field.
Another fine of 10,000 euros came after fans showed a Albania map in which his borders were extended through the territories of the neighbor countries.
‘No surrender’: Serbia accused over Kosovo banner
Serbia was also denounced for displaying a nationalist banner during their June 16 match against England. In the graphic the territory of Kosovo appeared over a slogan that said “No Surrender” (‘without surrender’, in Spanish) which UEFA has described as “provocative message not suitable for a sporting event”.
Kosovo unilaterally declared independence from Serbia in 2008, after a bloody conflict in the late 1990s. The question remains controversysince only 22 of the 27 EU Member States recognize its nationhood.
The Serbian Football Association received another fine of 4,500 euros by fans who threw objects from the stands.
Kosovo journalist sanctioned after giving an “eagle sign” to a Serbian fan
Last Wednesday, UEFA withdrew Kosovar journalist Arlind Sadiku’s press accreditation for Euro 2024 for provoke Serbian fans at the match Serbia-England on June 16. During the live broadcast, Sadiku would have addressed the Serbian fans making the nationalist double-headed eagle gesture with his hands.
The double-headed eagle appears on the Albanian flag and has become increasingly important as symbol of ethnic pride in Albaniaas well as in Kosovo and other regions. Its display in football stadiums has sparked constant controversy.
