UEFA charge Albania over missiles and fireworks

Albania are facing four UEFA charges over a 'provocative message' allegedly displayed by their fans and other behaviour during the European Championship defeat by Italy in Dortmund on Saturday.

UEFA said  the Albanian soccer federation were facing disciplinary proceedings over the message, the throwing of objects, use of fireworks and an "invasion of the field of play". One person entered the field of play near the end of the game, which Albania lost 2-1.

UEFA did not  say which message they objected to, only that the charge relates to "transmitting a provocative message unfit for a sports event".

Some Albanian fans had displayed flags of the Kosovo Liberation Army. Ethnic Albanian separatists from the group fought a 1998-99 war with Serbian forces in what was then the province of Kosovo.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008 but Serbia does not recognise it as an independent state.

A flag depicting a map of 'Greater Albania' was also displayed at the game. The charges are the first disciplinary matters announced by UEFA at Euro 2024, which began on Friday.