Faraj Benlahoucine, Media365, published on Sunday June 23, 2024 at 6:18 p.m.
An Albanian player has been suspended following his insulting chant towards North Macedonia after his team’s draw against Croatia. The Albanian and Croatian federations were also financially sanctioned because of the behavior of their supporters.
Little Thumb of the group of death at Euro 2024 (group B), Albania fought with its weapons and presented an attractive face during its first two outings. Despite the opening defeat against Italy, the Eagles scored the fastest goal in the history of the competition through Nedim Bajrami after 22 seconds. Then against their regional neighbor, Croatia, the Albanians fought a memorable duel ending with a sharing of points resembling a victory (2-2). However, the emotion aroused by this beautiful match made Mirlind Daku lose her mind.
At the final whistle, the striker celebrated the point gleaned in added time thanks to Klaus Gjasula at the bottom of a stand at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg with his supporters. Megaphone in hand and filmed by numerous fans immortalizing the event, he sang an insulting song towards North Macedonia. A unique scene which obviously did not fail to make the rounds on the networks. And to provoke many reactions. A slip with serious consequences because he was suspended for two matches by UEFA despite his apologies. The player from Kazan in Russia will therefore miss Albania’s match against Spain this Monday in Düsseldorf (kick-off at 9 p.m.).
Croatia also fined
In addition, Albania received a hefty fine because of the behavior of its supporters. The FSFH will have to pay a check for 47,500 euros due to the use of pyrotechnic devices, “inappropriate messages” and having interrupted the match against Croatia. However, Croatian supporters were also singled out. The Croatian federation will have to pay a fine of 28,000 euros for “lighting smoke bombs and throwing objects” during the same match. As usual, the Vatreni fans were also brought to order after the first group match against Spain. On the last day of this group B, the Croatians will play their qualification in the round of 16 against Italy at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig this Monday (kick-off at 9 p.m.).
