Albania finds itself in hot water with UEFA following their European Championship loss to Italy. The Albanian soccer federation is currently facing four UEFA charges for a range of offenses, including the display of a “provocative message,” throwing of objects, use of fireworks, and an “invasion of the field of play.” These charges come after Albania’s defeat to Italy with a score of 2-1.
The specific nature of the “provocative message” displayed by Albanian fans has not been disclosed by UEFA. However, it has been stated that the message was deemed “unfit for a sports event.” Some fans were seen displaying flags of the Kosovo Liberation Army, a separatist group that engaged in a war with Serbian forces in 1998-1999. Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize it as an independent state. Additionally, a flag depicting a map of “Greater Albania” was also exhibited during the game.
These charges mark the first disciplinary actions taken by UEFA during Euro 2024, which commenced in Germany. The Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) of UEFA will be responsible for assessing the charges brought against Albania. A spokesperson from the Albanian soccer federation ensured that an official statement would be submitted within the designated time frame. Despite the allegations, the federation claims that all necessary precautions were taken to ensure a successful event and that the match was a celebration of European football.
Albania’s debut in Euro 2024 ended with a 2-1 defeat against Italy. While the match itself was intense, the aftermath has been marred by the controversy surrounding the fan behavior and the display of contentious messages. It remains to be seen how UEFA will address these charges and what consequences Albania will face as a result of these actions.
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