EURO 2024: In trouble because of the Balkan hatred
The Yugoslav civil war may have officially ended in 2001. However, it appears that once more the moniker «the duration is much longer than the war» is quite correct. And the football stadiums of Germany see the next stage of this conflict of Serbia vs Albania and Croatia. Unfortunately, it’s one that has spilled over into sports. An area where people are supposed to be brought together in peace and friendship. Now, all the fans, players, and the top Asian and European bookmakers expect a swift action from the ruling authorities to quickly take care of the situation.
Serbia vs Albania and Croatia strike three
First, it was Serbia that got investigated and charged by UEFA for a banner that, according to the docket, «transmitted a provocative message unfit for a sports event». For the record, the banner featured a territory in Kosovo that’s independent and a «No Surrender» caption. A fine of 10,000 Euros was imposed for the infraction, while there will be a further investigation for «discriminatory behavior». The same charges were brought against Albania. The fine was also 10,000 Euros for a banner that displayed an expanded territory of Albania into neighboring countries. Furthermore, another 27,375 Euros have been imposed for the usage of fireworks and flares.
Now, the confrontations are taken to the next level as Serbia submitted an official complaint to the ruling body, demanding sanctions against Croatia and Albania. The claim is that at the 59th minute of the match between the two countries, the fans of both sides united into chanting «Kill, kill, kill the Serb». In addition to the formal request for an investigation, the Football Association of the country added a threat. If the perpetrators were not promptly punished, then Serbia would withdraw from the tournament.
Investigations that should have never existed
As expected, UEFA did open an inquiry for the issue at hand. In all likelihood, there will be another fine imposed to both sides immediately, while the actual investigation of the infringements themselves will take a number of weeks, which will take the resolution well beyond the end of the tournament. And the question becomes: what will Serbia do?
Over the various social media platforms and other discussion forums, there is an increasing number of people demanding that all three countries be expelled. Using the precedent of Russia’s punishment, the opinion is that even if there is no shooting, it’s still a war and these three are bringing their national differences into a competition that has no place for them. However, this is not what sports are for. And this is what the other side claims. If they are expelled from a world that is supposed to bring them together and help them resolve their differences peacefully, what’s the point of sports?
Serbia vs Albania and Croatia is just about fanaticism
For 10 years they have been fighting each other with guns in battlefields. Accusations of ethnic cleansing methods have seen the inside of international court rooms. Perhaps 22 years is not enough time for some people to forgive and forget. The fact is that it is a small minority from all sides that wishes to keep the hatred alive. It’s that minority that doesn’t belong either to the world of sports, or to the world of betting. Those who open betting accounts via agent have already forgiven and forgotten. And they do not demand sanctions and punishments that will change the scene of one of the most awaited for, competitions.