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Albania forward Mirlind Daku has been handed a two-match ban for leading derogatory chants after his team’s contentious 2-2 draw with Croatia during the ongoing Euro 2024 Championship.
The incident, which saw Daku use a megaphone to address Albanian supporters, resulted in a Ā£21,250 fine for the Albania Football Federation.
UEFA cited the transmission of “provocative messages not fit for a sports event” as the reason for the penalty.
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The Albania FA also faces extra Ā£19,000 fine due to pitch invasions and fireworks lighting by fans during the match.
Similarly, the Croatian football authorities, received a Ā£23,600 fine for offenses involving fireworks.
The consequences of the post-match chaos have rippled beyond financial penalties. UEFA is currently investigating racist allegations and discriminatory behaviour by supporters during the game which could lead to further sanctions.
Daku, aware of the gravity of the situation, issued a public apology on social media on Friday. His attempt to quell the fallout, however, comes amidst broader regional tensions. Serbia had threatened to withdraw from Euro 2024 in response to the provocative chanting exchanged between Croatian and Albanian fans.
The controversy has also sparked demands from the North Macedonia football federation for an apology from Daku. This incident underscores the highly charged atmosphere surrounding football in the Balkans, where nationalistic fervor often spills over into the sport.
Serbia’s subsequent match against Denmark, played just hours after the Albania-Croatia fixture, ended in a 1-1 draw. This match was watched closely, with concerns that similar incidents could erupt.
The ongoing investigation into potential racist and discriminatory conduct indicates that further repercussions may be on the horizon for those involved.
Tags: #Euro2024, #NewsRoundTheClock, #nrtcnews, #nrtcnigeria, #nrtcsports, Albania, Croatia, Daku, derogatory chants, Serbia
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