EURO 2024: UEFA fines Albania, Serbia over nationalist fan banners

UEFA has fined the Albanian and Serbian football federations 10,000 euros ($10,700) for a provocative display of national maps during matches in the ongoing European Championship.

The controversy broke out when Albanian fans unfurled a banner showing Albania's borders extending into the territories of neighboring countries. The incident occurred during Albania's 1-2 defeat to Italy in Dortmund. Serbian supporters brandished a banner showing the disputed region of Kosova with the slogan 'No surrender.' Serbia lost 0-1 to England in Gelsenkirchen. This comes after a similar incident at the 2022 World Cup when Serbian players were photographed holding a similar banner before kicking off against Brazil. On top of the 10,000 euro fine for posting an inflammatory message, UEFA handed out several other fines as well. The Albania federation was hit with an additional 27,375 euro ($29,400) fine for lighting fires and fireworks and throwing beer cups, among others – a fan also went onto the field.

It highlights a broader trend of field invasions marred the first week of Euro 2024. The Serbian federation was fined 4,500 euros ($4,800) for similar misbehavior, notably for fans throwing beer cups. In addition, UEFA has opened another investigation into allegations of racist behavior by Serbian supporters following an official complaint from the Kosovo Football Federation. The punishments were handed out only hours after Albania drew 2-2 with Croatia in their other Group B match in a game full of drama.