June 20 – UEFA’s disciplinary committee has punished the national federations of Serbia and Albania after the first matches in the group stage of Euro 2024 for the behaviour of their fans in the matches against England and Italy.
Serbia was fined a total of €14,500 after the game with England for throwing objects on the field (€4,500) and provocative messages from the stands (€10,000), but it was not specified which ones.
Albania fared even worse, as they will have to pay a total of €37,375.
The Albanian fine is for provocative messages, similar to the fine against the Serbs, while UEFA also sanctioned them for pyrotechnics, throwing objects and fans entering the field.
In the first round of Group C, Serbia was beate by England 1:0, while Albania lost to Italy 2:1.
Immediately after the match between Serbia and England, the Kosovo federation filed a complaint with UEFA “due to the display of flags, slogans and chants by Serbian fans with political, chauvinistic and racist messages against Kosovo, during the match Serbia – England”.
“The Football Federation of Kosovo announces to the public that it has officially reacted to UEFA due to the display of flags, slogans and chants by Serbian fans with political, chauvinistic and racist messages against Kosovo, during the match Serbia – England, within the framework of Euro 2024,” said the complaint.
“The unhindered display of such messages and appeals in a grand event like Euro 2024 is senseless and absurd. Through such calls, the hatred planted in the public opinion in Serbia against its neighbors is proven.”
The FFK demanded strict disciplinary measures against the Football Federation of Serbia, as repeat offenders, saying “we request vigilance from the organizer to avoid the display of such banners in future matches, as they constitute a serious violation of UEFA rules.
“Calls against the state of Kosovo in a major event like Euro 2024 are motivation for nationalist groups and threaten the fragile security of the region.”
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1735090959labto1735090959ofdlr1735090959owedi1735090959sni@o1735090959fni1735090959