Tirana FC penalized after fireworks incident leaves Vllaznia SC player hospitalized

The fireworks thrown at Vllaznia players during their goal celebration, following their fourth strike in the match played in Lushnje, resulted in serious consequences for a Vllaznia player and will now cost Tirana FC dearly. The incident, which caused a 15-minute game interruption and led to the player being hospitalized, has prompted severe sanctions from the Disciplinary and Ethics Commission of the Albanian Football Association (FSHF).

Why is this important: The penalties imposed on Tirana are significant and set a precedent for handling similar incidents in Albanian football. The Disciplinary Commission announced that KF Tirana will play the rest of their Superliga matches and any remaining fixtures in the Albanian Cup without fan attendance. Additionally, the club must pay a fine of 300,000 leks. These sanctions underscore the importance of ensuring player safety and the repercussions clubs face for failing to control their supporters.

Context: The Vllaznia SC player was the most severely impacted by the fireworks incident. A medical report from the hospital in Lushnje indicated that the player suffered burns and hearing damage. This highlights the dangerous consequences of fan violence and the necessity of implementing stricter security measures at football matches.

What they said: The FSHF’s official statement reads:

“KF Tirana, for the misconduct of its spectators, including throwing objects onto the field and failing to guarantee the safety of the opposing team’s players, is fined 300,000 leks and must play the remainder of the 2024-2025 football season matches without spectators.”

Broader impact: Tirana is not the only club facing disciplinary action. Elbasan has also been fined 300,000 leks for fan misconduct, which involved throwing objects onto the field and verbally abusing FSHF officials. Skënderbeu was fined 100,000 leks for similar offenses, such as lighting flares and using pyrotechnics.

What’s next: The severe punishment of Tirana serves as a warning to other clubs about the potential consequences of uncontrolled fan behavior. Moving forward, the FSHF’s firm stance emphasizes the priority of player and official safety, holding clubs accountable for maintaining discipline among their supporters. This latest move may reflect a broader attempt by the FSHF to address the long-standing criticisms and enforce stricter measures to combat violence in Albanian football.