Sports
UEFA Bans Albanian Player for Nationalist Chants During Euro 2024
The Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) has announced that UEFA has banned Albanian forward Mirlind Daku for two matches at the European Championships due to nationalist chants. The incident occurred after Albania’s 2-2 draw with Croatia in Hamburg, where Daku led fans in slogans against Serbia and North Macedonia using a megaphone.
Incident and Consequences
- Chants and Apology: Daku’s actions involved chanting anti-Serbian slogans with fans, which has resulted in his suspension. He later apologized for his behavior through a social media post. UEFA has appointed an in-house investigator to further examine his conduct.
- Fines and Threats: UEFA imposed fines totaling 47,250 euros ($50,500) on the Albanian Football Federation for incidents during the game, where both Albanian and Croatian fans participated in chanting an anti-Serb slogan. The Football Association of Serbia responded by threatening to leave the tournament if these incidents were not punished.
Historical Context
Mirlind Daku, who switched his national eligibility from Kosovo to Albania under FIFA rules, has been playing for Albania since last year. Kosovo, with a predominantly ethnic-Albanian population, declared independence from Serbia 16 years ago after a conflict that resulted in the deaths of 10,000 civilians, mostly Kosovar Albanians. Serbia has not recognized Kosovo’s independence, and tensions remain high.
UEFA’s Charges
UEFA has also brought charges against the Albanian and Croatian football federations for “potential racist and/or discriminatory conduct” by fans during the match. Reports indicated that fans were chanting “Kill the Serbs” in Serbian. Croatia, once part of the Yugoslav federation dominated by Serbs, declared independence in 1991, which led to a prolonged conflict as part of the wider Yugoslav Wars.
Reactions
The Albanian Football Federation urged fans to behave responsibly and avoid incidents. They emphasized the importance of supporting the national team while respecting opponents and adhering to rules:
“The FSHF invites fans and football lovers to support to the end the Albanian national team in this magical and historic path in Euro 2024 by showing citizenry and accountability through correct behaviour and by respecting the rules and the opponents,” the federation stated.
Albania’s Performance
Despite the controversies, Albania has delivered commendable performances at Euro 2024, starting with a close 2-1 loss against Italy and a 2-2 draw with Croatia. To advance in the tournament, Albania needs a decisive win in their upcoming match against Spain.
Conclusion
The ban on Mirlind Daku and the fines imposed on the Albanian Football Federation underscore UEFA’s strict stance on nationalist and discriminatory behavior. The incident highlights the ongoing sensitivities in the Balkans, rooted in historical conflicts, and the responsibility of both players and fans to maintain sportsmanship and respect during international events.
Sports
Curtis Jones and Tino Livramento Added to England Squad for Nations League Matches
Uncapped Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones and Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento have been called up to the senior England squad ahead of this week’s crucial Nations League matches against Greece and Finland.
Jones, 23, had his first taste of senior selection in May when Gareth Southgate included him in a provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024, though he didn’t make the final cut. His impressive performances for the Under-21s, especially during England’s triumph in the 2023 European Under-21 Championship under interim manager Lee Carsley, have earned him another opportunity at the senior level.
Livramento, who was part of last month’s squad but didn’t feature in the games against the Republic of Ireland and Finland, has once again been called upon by Carsley, who is serving as England’s interim manager.
Meanwhile, captain Harry Kane trained separately from the rest of the squad at St George’s Park but is expected to be fit for Thursday’s game against Greece at Wembley. Manchester City’s Jack Grealish also missed training as a precaution due to a minor knock, but his status for the upcoming matches remains hopeful.
The Three Lions will aim to secure key victories as they face Greece at home before traveling to Finland on Sunday to complete their Nations League fixtures.
Sports
Manchester United’s Harry Maguire Sidelined for ‘A Few Weeks’ with Injury
Manchester United and England defender Harry Maguire has confirmed he will be out of action for several weeks due to an injury sustained during United’s 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday. Maguire, 31, was forced to leave the match at half-time after getting injured in the first half and was later seen leaving Villa Park in a protective boot.
In a social media post, Maguire expressed his frustration, saying, “Frustrated to pick up an injury at the weekend, will be a few weeks on the sideline for me but I’ll come back stronger.”
The injury means Maguire will miss England’s upcoming Nations League fixtures against Greece and Finland, after being left out of Lee Carsley’s squad. Maguire has made nine appearances for Manchester United this season, with his most recent goal coming in the 3-3 Europa League match against Porto on October 3.
This is another setback for the centre-back, who also missed Euro 2024 due to a calf problem.
Sports
Chelsea and Nottingham Forest Charged for Failing to Control Players in Premier League Clash
Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have been charged by the Football Association (FA) for failing to control their players after a heated confrontation during their 1-1 Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The clash occurred toward the end of the game and involved multiple players from both sides, resulting in a mass altercation.
Despite the intense nature of the incident, no action will be taken against Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who appeared to slap Forest’s Morato during the fracas. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviewed the altercation but decided against further punishment for Jackson.
The confrontation began when Forest’s Neco Williams seemingly pushed Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella off the pitch, igniting tensions between the teams. Following this, players from both sides were involved in the clash, which saw three yellow cards issued—Williams for Forest, and Cucurella and Levi Colwill for Chelsea.
In a statement, the FA said, “It’s alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players didn’t behave in an improper and/or provocative way around the 88th minute.” Both Chelsea and Nottingham Forest have until Thursday to respond to the charges.
In addition to the altercation, Chelsea faces a separate £50,000 fine for receiving six or more bookings during the match, a threshold they have reached for the second time this season.
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