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While the national teams of the countries from the Balkans competing in the European football championship in Germany did not face each other on the green field, their fans were in the center of attention in the first week of the tournament, causing various incidents, which were punished from the European Football Federation (UEFA).
The first days of Euro 2024 - which started on June 14 - were marked by several incidents, which mainly involved fans of the countries of the Western Balkans, Albania and Serbia in particular, but also a football player and a sports journalist.
However, most of the incidents were centered around Kosovo, whose independence Serbia does not recognize.
What happened and who was involved?
UEFA has fined Albania and Serbia for incidents caused by their fans, and is investigating Albania and its striker, Mirlind Daku, for other incidents.
The Albanian Football Federation (AFHF) was fined a total of 37,375 euros by UEFA, due to the behavior of its fans in the 2:1 loss against Italy, in the opening match of Group B, on June 15, in Dortmund.
In an announcement on June 19, UEFA said that, among other things, it fined the AFL 10,000 euros for "conveying provocative messages inappropriate for a sporting event."
Albania fans unfurled a banner with their country's flag extending borders into the territory of neighboring countries during that match and during the match against Croatia on 19 June. It was reported that they also unfurled a flag with the emblem of the former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA).
Serbia, on the other hand, was fined 10,000 euros after UEFA's Disciplinary and Ethics Committee found that its fans "conveyed provocative messages inappropriate for a sporting event", as well as 4,500 euros for throwing objects at field, in the 1:0 loss against England, on June 16, in Gelsenkirchen.
Before that match, seven Serbian fans were arrested for brawling with England fans in the western German city.
The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) filed a complaint with UEFA for, as it said, the display of flags, slogans and chants by Serbian fans with "political, chauvinistic and racist messages against Kosovo" during the Serbia-England match.
Photographs from the crowd of Serbian fans during the match showed a banner of the Serbian national flag and a map, which included Kosovo within Serbia's borders.
A group of Serbian fans chanted "Kosovo is the heart of Serbia" in central Munich, where they had gathered before their national team's match against Slovenia on June 20.
The Serbian federation has also been fined in the past because of Kosovo - even by world football's governing body, FIFA, after Serbian players had displayed a flag with a map at the 2022 World Cup, where Kosovo was presented as part of Serbia. This flag was seen in the locker room of the Serbian representative during the match between Brazil and Serbia, held on November 24, 2022, in Qatar.
On May 19, UEFA revoked the accreditation of a Kosovar journalist for the Euro 2024 matches, following complaints that he made nationalist gestures towards Serbian fans during Serbia's match against England.
The Serbian federation complained that journalist Arlind Sadiku provoked Serbian fans when he turned on them during a live broadcast, and made the double-headed eagle with his hands.
This gesture is an imitation of the eagle on the Albanian national flag.
Sadiku admitted that his gesture was unprofessional for a journalist, but argued that it was not "insulting to anyone".
What else is Albania and its Kosovar footballer, Daku, being investigated for?
UEFA announced on June 20 that its Disciplinary and Ethics Committee has appointed an inspector to conduct an investigation into possible "racist and/or discriminatory chants from fans" during the tie between Albania and Croatia in Hamburg one day. earlier.
Croatia and Albania fans allegedly chanted "kill, kill, kill the Serbs" during their national team's match in Hamburg, while Serbia threatened to withdraw from Euro 2024 if UEFA does not punish the Croatian and Albanian federations.
UEFA launched a separate investigation, on June 20, against Albania's striker, Mirlind Daku, for "improper conduct" after the Rossoneri's draw against Croatia in Hamburg.
Born and raised in Kosovo, Daku represented his country before deciding to join Albania in 2023.
He was caught on camera goading fans with derogatory chants for North Macedonia after Albania's 2-2 draw with Croatia.
The Football Federation of North Macedonia condemned Daku's behavior, describing it as "unacceptable and scandalous".
In a Facebook post a day later, Daku apologized for his behavior.
"Forgiveness is manly, and I feel a moral and professional obligation to do so, for all those who have been hurt," wrote Daku.
UEFA is expected to decide on Albania and Dako, but it is not known if it will do so before Albania's final Group B game on Monday against Spain. Daku risks suspension, while the red and black national team faces another fine.
The only incident that did not involve a team from the Balkans was the opening match between the tournament's hosts, Germany, and Scotland on June 14.
UEFA fined the Scottish Football Association €5,625 after fans threw objects onto the pitch during a match in Munich.
Meanwhile, the Scottish footballer, Ryan Porteous, was suspended for two matches, after being sent off with a red card for a dangerous tackle during the match./REL
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