TIRANA: The Albanian soccer federation said UEFA banned its player Mirlind Daku on Sunday for two games after leading fans in nationalist chants at the European Championship.
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.
The Albanian federation also said UEFA imposed fines totaling 47,250 euros ($50,500) for incidents at the game, where its fans joined Croatian fans and chanted an anti-Serb slogan.
The Serbian soccer federation said it would leave the tournament if UEFA did not punish the incidents.
Albania play a decisive group-stage game on Monday against Spain. If Albania advance, Daku also would sit out the round of 16 game.
Daku later apologized for his actions in a social media posting, as UEFA appointed an in-house investigator to study his “alleged inappropriate behavior.”
The 26-year-old forward began playing for Albania last year having used his right under FIFA rules to change his eligibility from Kosovo, the ethnic-Albanian former province of Serbia that declared independence 16 years ago.
UEFA also announced charges against its Albanian and Croatian member federations for “potential racist and/or discriminatory conduct” by fans on Wednesday, who were reportedly chanting “Kill the Serbs” in Serbian.
The Albanian soccer Federation, or FSHF, called on the fans to be “accountable and avoid incidents and riots.”
“The FSHF invites fans and football lovers to support to the end the Albanian national team in this magical and historic path in Euro 2024 by showing citizenry and accountability through correct behavior and by respecting the rules and the opponents,” said a statement.
Albania have impressed at Euro 2024 in an opening 2-1 loss against Italy and then the 2-2 draw with Croatia. The team likely need to beat Spain to advance.
Albania team says UEFA banned player Mirlind Daku for two Euro 2024 games after nationalist chants
https://arab.news/na8cn
Albania team says UEFA banned player Mirlind Daku for two Euro 2024 games after nationalist chants
- Daku joined in chanting slogans against Serbia and North Macedonia
- 26-year-old forward began playing for Albania last year having used his right under FIFA rules to change his eligibility from Kosovo
Kane to miss Bayern game against Gladbach with calf knock
- The England striker should be fit in time for the Champions League last-16 first leg at Atalanta next Tuesday
- “Kane is out. He got a knock on his calf and hasn’t recovered yet,” Kompany said
BERLIN: Harry Kane will miss Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga match against Borussia Moenchengladbach with a calf injury, coach Vincent Kompany said on Thursday.
The England striker, who has been an ever-present for Bayern this season, should be fit in time for the Champions League last-16 first leg at Atalanta next Tuesday.
“Harry Kane is out. He got a knock on his calf and hasn’t recovered yet,” Kompany said at a pre-match press conference ahead of Friday’s game.
“It’s just a knock, it’s nothing serious over the long term, but we’d need maybe another a day for him to be involved.
“We’re pretty relaxed. Of course we would have liked Harry to be involved, but these things happen...
“Any time Harry isn’t there, some of the boys will be hoping they can have their moment.”
Bayern took a big step toward defending their Bundesliga title last weekend with a comeback 3-2 win at closest challengers Borussia Dortmund to open up an 11-point lead.
Kane scored twice in that match to take his tally in all competitions this season to 45 goals.
