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.