The Albanian Football Federation announced that UEFA has suspended Mirlind Daku for two matches at the European Championships due to nationalist chants he led after a game.

Following Albania’s 2-2 draw with Croatia on Wednesday in Hamburg, Daku used a megaphone to join fans in voicing slogans against Serbia and North Macedonia.

Additionally, UEFA has fined the Albanian Football Federation 47,250 euros ($50,500) for events during the match, in which Albanian supporters joined Croatian fans in chanting anti-Serb slogans.

The Football Association of Serbia threatened to withdraw from the tournament if UEFA failed to penalize the incidents.

Albania is set to face Spain in a pivotal group-stage clash on Monday.

Daku later issued an apology on social media, with UEFA appointing an internal investigator to examine his "alleged inappropriate behaviour".

The 26-year-old player started representing Albania last year, using FIFA rules to change his eligibility from Kosovo, a former Serbian province with a significant ethnic-Albanian population that declared independence 16 years ago. Serbia, however, has not recognized Kosovo’s independence, leading to ongoing tension.

UEFA also filed charges against the Albanian and Croatian football federations for "potential racist and/or discriminatory conduct" by fans who were reported to be chanting, "Kill the Serbs" in Serbian.

Croatia, once part of the Serb-dominated Yugoslavia, declared independence in 1991, sparking a four-year war that was part of the broader conflict following Yugoslavia's dissolution.

The Albanian Football Federation, known as FSHF, urged supporters to behave responsibly and avoid violent incidents. The FSHF's statement called on fans to support the team by showing respect for the rules and opponents.

Albania has left a remarkable impression at Euro 2024 with an initial 2-1 loss to Italy followed by the 2-2 draw with Croatia. The team likely needs a win against Spain to progress.