FRANKFURT: UEFA fined the Albanian and Serbian soccer federations 10,000 euros ($10,700) each on Wednesday for fans displaying banners with nationalist maps at European Championship games.
Each federation was charged with “transmitting provocative messages not fit for a sports event” because they are responsible for the conduct of their fans at stadiums.
Albania fans displayed a banner with a map of their country extending its borders into the territory of neighboring countries. It was shown during the 2-1 loss against Italy on Saturday in Dortmund.
Serbia fans’ banner included the independent territory of Kosovo and a slogan “No Surrender” at a 1-0 loss against England in Gelsenkirchen. A case was prosecuted by FIFA at the 2022 World Cup when players were photographed with a similar banner in their locker room ahead of a game against Brazil.
UEFA also opened a separate investigation into alleged discrimination by Serbia fans. The Kosovo soccer federation field a formal complaint with UEFA.
The Albanian federation was fined a further 27,375 euros ($29,400) for fans lighting flares and fireworks, throwing beer cups and a fan who went on the field.
Fans invading the playing area have been a regular feature in the first week of games at Euro 2024.
UEFA announced the sanctions of its disciplinary panel hours after Albania drew 2-2 with Croatia in their second Group B game.
Serbia’s federation must pay 4,500 euros ($4,800) more for fans throwing beer cups.
UEFA fines Albania, Serbia $10,700 each for nationalist fan banners at Euro 2024 games
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UEFA fines Albania, Serbia $10,700 each for nationalist fan banners at Euro 2024 games
- Each federation was charged with “transmitting provocative messages not fit for a sports event”
- UEFA also opened a separate investigation into alleged discrimination by Serbia fans
Celtic out of Europa League despite win at Stuttgart
- Luke McCowan found the net inside the opening minute
- Stuttgart advance to the last 16 and will find out in Friday’s draw whether they face Porto or Braga
PARIS: Celtic bowed out of the Europa League on Thursday after losing 4-2 on aggregate to Stuttgart despite a 1-0 away win in the second leg of their knockout phase play-off tie.
After last week’s 4-1 defeat in Glasgow left Martin O’Neill’s side facing a three-goal deficit, they made the ideal start to the second leg, with Luke McCowan finding the net inside the opening minute.
But Celtic could make no further inroads and their exit left the Scottish champions still seeking a first European knockout tie victory since 2004, with their domestic supremacy also under threat this season from Hearts.
Stuttgart advance to the last 16 and will find out in Friday’s draw whether they face Porto or Braga in the next round.
Nottingham Forest will look to join Aston Villa in the last 16 later on Thursday, taking a 3-0 lead into the second leg of their tie against Fenerbahce at the City Ground.
