Mirlind-Daku
Albania's forward #19 Mirlind Daku shoots the ball past Croatia's midfielder #25 Luka Susic during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B football match between Croatia and Albania at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg on June 19, 2024 Image Credit: AFP

Frankfurt: Albania forward Mirlind Daku was suspended for two games on Sunday for leading his team's fans in offensive chants about Serbia and North Macedonia at Euro 2024 that soccer governing body UEFA said violated the basic rules of decent conduct.

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Daku apologised for joining in the chanting of slogans against the two countries with a megaphone following his side's 2-2 draw with Croatia on Wednesday in Hamburg.

UEFA said in a statement that it had banned Daku for "failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent conduct, for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute." UEFA added that an investigation into potential racist and/or discriminatory conduct by fans at the match was ongoing.

Albania, who are third in Group B with one point and can still qualify for the last 16, play Spain, who are top on six points, on Monday in Duesseldorf.

Serbia threatened to withdraw from the tournament over chanting by Croatia and Albania fans in their teams' 2-2 draw, which UEFA is also investigating.