Mirlind Daku, a substitute in the Euro 2024 match between Albania and Croatia, caused uproar by leading derogatory chants against Macedonia and Serbia. The incident has led to condemnation from the Macedonian Football Federation and threats of withdrawal from Serbia if strict penalties are not imposed by UEFA. Tensions were further fuelled by controversial chants from fans, highlighting the political undertones in the region’s sporting events.
Albanian footballer Mirlind Daku chanted offensive slogans against Macedonia and Serbia following his team’s 2-2 draw with Croatia in a Euro 2024 match held in Hamburg. Daku, 26, who was a substitute in the game, was captured on video using a megaphone to lead derogatory chants in Albanian, which translated to “f Macedonia and f Serbs.”
The Macedonian Football Federation has announced plans to appeal to UEFA regarding the incident, condemning Daku’s actions as contrary to sportsmanship and respect. Serbia, already fined for fan misconduct during their match with England, has threatened to withdraw from Euro 2024 if UEFA does not impose strict penalties on both Croatia and Albania for the offensive chants. Serbian FA General Secretary Jovan Surbatovic described the situation as scandalous and demanded sanctions against the federations involved.
In addition, controversial chants from fans, including “Kill the Serbs,” were reportedly heard during the match, further escalating tensions. This incident adds to historical animosities, highlighting the politicization of sports in the region.
