The ban comes after the Albanian striker apologized for causing fans to chant derogatory songs against Croatia at Euro 2024.
The Albanian football federation said UEFA suspended its player Mirlind Daku for two matches at the European Championship after he incited fans to sing nationalist chants.
Daku grabbed 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 Sunday that UEFA imposed fines totaling 47,250 euros ($50,500) for incidents at the match, where its fans joined the Croats in chanting an anti-Serb slogan.
The Serbian football federation said it would abandon the tournament if UEFA did not punish the incidents.
Albania plays a decisive group stage match against Spain on Monday.
Daku later apologized for his actions in a social media post, as UEFA appointed an internal investigator to look into his “alleged inappropriate behaviour”.
The 26-year-old forward began playing for Albania last year after having used his right under FIFA rules to change his eligibility from Kosovo, the former ethnic Albanian province of Serbia that declared independence 16 years ago, after a war that killed 10,000 civilians. the vast majority Kosovar Albanians. Serbia has refused to recognize Kosovo's statehood, considering it part of Serbia, and tensions persist.
UEFA also announced charges on Wednesday against its member federations in Albania and Croatia for “potential racist and/or discriminatory conduct” by fans, who were allegedly chanting “Kill the Serbs” in Serbian.
Croatia was previously part of Serbian-dominated Yugoslavia, and declared independence in 1991, leading to a four-year war, part of the broader conflict sparked by the breakup of Yugoslavia.
The Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) called on fans to be “responsible and avoid incidents and disturbances.”
“The FSHF invites football fans and lovers to support the Albanian national team until the end on this magical and historic path at Euro 2024 by showing citizenship and responsibility through correct behavior and respecting the rules and opponents,” it says. a statement.
Albania impressed at Euro 2024 with an opening 2-1 loss against Italy and then a 2-2 draw with Croatia. The team will likely need to beat Spain to advance.
