The Albanian FA has been charged by European football’s governing body for fan troubles during their Euro 2024 match against Italy on Saturday.
UEFA has directed four charges against the Albanian Football Federation for incidents during the game in Dortmund, which finished 2-1 to Italy.
Albania went ahead when Nedim Bajrami scored the quickest goal in Euros history after 23 seconds but goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicola Barella gave Italy all three points.
A pitch invader halted the game in the dying moments of the game and that incident comprises one of the charges.
The four charges are for the ‘throwing of objects’, ‘lighting of fireworks’, ‘invasion of the field of play’, and ‘transmitting a provocative message unfit for a sports event’.
UEFA has charged the Albanian FA for fan trouble during their Euro 2024 match against Italy
A stoppage-time pitch invasion from an Albanian fan comprises one of the UEFA charges
UEFA has not elaborated on the nature of the ‘provocative message’.
The UEFA Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body will decide on the matter ‘in due course’, UEFA said.
It comes amid rising tensions between fans elsewhere at the European Championship in Germany.
Football hooliganism has made a shameful return to the Euros just hours ahead of England’s opening match against Serbia.
Some British fans are among those thought to be injured after bloody punch-ups sparked by Serbia’s arch-rivals Albania attacking Serbs outside a bar in Gelsenkirchen.
Riot police clashed with a mob of supporters as violence made a shameful return to the sport, with police sources telling MailOnline at least six people have been arrested.
Police added it was too soon to confirm the nationalities of those involved, but said calm had been restored.
Officers moved in after trouble erupted between fans outside a restaurant-bar just after 3.30pm. Albanian fans reportedly launched the initial attack, rounding a corner and launching bottles, chairs and tables.
Two officers grapple with a fan after chasing attackers through the streets of Gelsenkirchen
An English fan is seen on the ground after being attacked by rivals ahead of the game between Serbia and England
One group of fans was seen throwing chairs at another, although it is unclear who started the violence
German police officers grapple with a fan after violence broke out ahead of a match between the Three Lions and Serbia
One English fan is believed to have suffered a head wound in the fracas, with one other injured, but Three Lions supporters are otherwise understood not to have been involved.
England fans have reportedly been warned by the FA that they risk having their tickets confiscated if they behave inappropriately.
The match against Serbia is due to be the only match at the tournament wherelow-alcohol beer is served in a bid to prevent trouble.
According to the i, the FA have written to England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) members, making it clear that ‘any unacceptable behaviour whilst following England may result in… withdrawal of future match tickets (including during the tournament).’
The FA will have their own security and stewards at all of England’s fixtures over the coming days, and insist they will look to clamp down on any fans that misbehave in Germany.
On Friday, rowdy England fans were filmed chanting ’10 German bombers’ in the streets of Dusseldorf.
‘Ten German bombers’ – sung to the tune of ‘If You’re Happy and You Know It’ – refers to German casualties in the Second World War.
England fans were filmed chanting England supporters have been filmed chanting ’10 German bombers’ on the streets, with one even holding up a toy plane
England fans have been warned they could have their tickets confiscated if they misbehave at Euro 2024
The FA – headed by CEO Mark Bullingham (pictured) – have told supporters that ‘unacceptable behaviour’ will not be tolerated
German police had previously ordered Three Lions fans not to sing the song, sending out a blunt ‘don’t be a d***’ message prior to the tournament.
It is estimated that 300,000 England fans will make their way out to Germany this summer in the hope of seeing the national team end 58 years of hurt.
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