In a recent development at the ongoing Euro 2024 tournament, Albanian player Mirlind Daku has been banned for two games by UEFA after leading fans in nationalist chants. This action was deemed to have brought soccer into disrepute.

The incident occurred after Albania's 2-2 draw with Croatia in Hamburg on Wednesday when Daku took a megaphone and joined fans in chanting slogans against Serbia and North Macedonia. These incidents, along with the fallout from the game, have brought Balkan politics to the forefront at this year's Euros, with the highest number of teams from the region ever participating.

UEFA's disciplinary judges found Daku guilty of various offenses, including failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, violating the basic rules of decent conduct, and using sports events for non-sporting demonstrations. As a result, Daku will be sidelined for Albania's decisive group-stage game against Spain and, if they advance, the round of 16 game as well.

Furthermore, UEFA has ordered the Albanian soccer federation to pay fines totaling $50,500 for incidents during the game, where fans chanted an anti-Serb slogan, reportedly "Kill the Serbs." The Serbian soccer federation has threatened to quit the tournament if UEFA does not address these incidents.

Daku has since issued an apology on social media, while UEFA has appointed an investigator to study his alleged inappropriate behavior. The 26-year-old forward began playing for Albania last year, having changed his eligibility from Kosovo in compliance with FIFA rules.

In addition to Daku's ban and the fines imposed on the Albanian soccer federation, UEFA had also announced charges against both Albania and Croatia for potential racist and/or discriminatory conduct by fans. However, only Albania was fined for transmitting provocative messages not fit for a sports event. The Croatian federation was fined $29,400 for incidents involving the lighting and throwing of fireworks at the stadium.

The Albanian soccer federation, or FSHF, has called on fans to be accountable and avoid incidents and riots. Despite these controversies, Albania has impressed at Euro 2024 with a 2-1 loss against Italy and the 2-2 draw with Croatia.

The presence of three national teams from the former Yugoslavia - Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia - at Euro 2024, alongside Kosovo's neighbor Albania, has reignited shared historical grievances and diplomatic issues from the Balkans war of the 1990s. Nationalist chants and provocative flags have raised hostility levels, bringing politics onto the stage of the 10 stadiums in Germany.

It is worth noting that Serbia and Albania were previously fined by UEFA for transmitting provocative messages during their opening games, costing them $10,700 each for a first offense.

The ongoing incidents highlight the delicate nature of the sport and the tensions surrounding regional politics. UEFA's decision on how to handle these situations will be closely watched as it could symbolize the sport's ability to unite or exacerbate divisions at a time when certain team pairings are already restricted for security reasons.

In other news, the Albanian and Serbian soccer federations have made attempts to co-host the Under-21 Euros in 2027, despite opposition from some fans. Belgium and Turkey are the other candidates to host the tournament, and UEFA's executive committee, which includes Albania's Armand Duka as vice president, will vote on the host in December.