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5 months ago
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UEFA has banned Albanian player Mirlind Daku on Sunday for two games at Euro 2024, after leading fans in nationalist chants.
European football's governing body released a statement confirming Daku was banned 'for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature, and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute'.
Daku took a megaphone after Albania's 2-2 draw with Croatia on Wednesday in Hamburg, and joined in chanting slogans against Serbia and North Macedonia.
He led chants with fans that translated as: 'F*** Macedonia!' and 'F*** Serbs!'.
Daku issued a statement admitting he may have caused offence, but appeared to stop short of a full apology.
UEFA have handed Mirlind Daku a two-match ban for leading chants including 'f*** Serbs'
Daku has issued a lengthy statement on social media before UEFA imposed a two-match ban
UEFA issued a statement confirming Daku has been suspended for two matches for 'failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute.'
The Macedonian FA had confirmed it would contact UEFA over Daku's actions, while against the 'nationalist chant' involving Daku.
The forward's actions were also cited by the Serbian FA in a letter to UEFA general secretary Theodore Theodoridis, which formally requested the governing body sanction Albania and Croatia.
UEFA have confirmed it has fined the Albanian FA a total of €47,500 (£40,000) for incidents at the game.
This included the lighting of fireworks, a pitch invasion and 'transmitting provocative messages not fit for a sports event.'
The Croatian FA have also been fined fined €28,000 (£23,600) for the throwing and lighting of fireworks.
UEFA's investigation into chants be Albanian and Croatian fans remains ongoing.
During the match both sets of fans could be heard chanting 'Kill the Serbs!', which prompted the Serbian football federation to say it would quit the tournament if UEFA did not punish the incidents.
UEFA are still investigating after Albania and Croatia fans were reportedly heard chanting of 'Kill the Serbs' during their match in Hamburg
UEFA have already charged the Serbian FA with two offences following their defeat by England on Sunday in Gelsenkirchen – namely the throwing of objects and the transmitting of a provocative message 'unfit for a sports event'.
The latter is understood to relate to the display of a flag linked to a paramilitary movement that was engaged in ethnic cleansing during the Yugoslav wars.
The governing body also launched an investigation into claims monkey noises were aimed at England players during the clash.
An inspector has been appointed to carry out a disciplinary probe 'regarding alleged discriminatory behaviour' – though a resolution is not expected until after the group stages.
Serbia could further possible action after their fans threw bottles onto the pitch during their 1-1 draw with Slovenia on Thursday.
Albania plays its final Group B match on Monday against Spain – a game that could prove decisive for the runner's-up position, in the group.
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