Historical and Political Context
What was the Kosovo War?
The Kosovo War, which occurred in the late 1990s, was an armed conflict between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (comprising Serbia and Montenegro) and the Albanian-Kosovar separatist group, the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). The war culminated in NATO intervention, whose bombing campaign forced Serbian forces to withdraw from Kosovo, leading to an international administration under the UN. Kosovo declared its independence in 2008, recognized by many but not by Serbia, which still considers it part of its territory.
Impact on Euro 2024
Incidents at Euro 2024
At Euro 2024, tensions between Serbians, Albanians, and Swiss of Kosovar origin have manifested in incidents during matches. Fans from Albania, Croatia, and Serbia have been sanctioned by UEFA for violent behavior and hate messages. These actions have put German authorities and tournament organizers on high alert.
Serbia and Kosovo: “No Surrender”
The conflict began with Serbia, which was fined for throwing objects during a match against England and for displaying a banner with a map of Kosovo and the slogan “No Surrender.” UEFA deemed this a provocation and reaffirmed its commitment to keeping sports free from political conflicts.
Repercussions for Albania and Croatia
Albania has faced significant fines for inappropriate fan behavior, including displaying a map of Greater Albania. Albanian player Mirlind Daku was suspended for making proclamations against North Macedonia. Croatian and Albanian ultras united in racist chants against Serbia, leading to further sanctions and threats of tournament withdrawal by the Serbian federation.
Switzerland and the Kosovar Conflict
Switzerland has also been involved due to its players of Albanian-Kosovar origin, such as Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri. In the 2018 World Cup, both celebrated goals against Serbia with the double-headed eagle gesture, a symbol of the Albanian flag, leading to FIFA fines. In Qatar 2022, the conflict reignited with the display of a Serbian flag in a match, causing additional tensions.
Suspension of the Kosovo-Israel Match
Euro 2024 qualifiers have also been affected by external conflicts. The match between Kosovo and Israel was suspended due to the ongoing war in Israel. UEFA will announce a new date for the match, originally scheduled for October 15.
Reflection on the Balkans
Current Reality in the Balkans
Expert Marc Casals notes that while incidents at Euro 2024 reflect real tensions in the Balkans, they represent only an extreme and noisy part of society. Nationalisms exacerbated by sports are not the norm across the region, though they highlight persistent divisions. The idea of a common project in the Balkans, such as EU membership or the Open Balkan initiative, faces distrust and slow progress due to historical and political tensions.
Euro 2024 has highlighted the complexities and unresolved conflicts in the Balkans. Episodes of hate and violence in the tournament reflect a fragmented sociopolitical reality that continues to influence sports and everyday life in the region.
