At the recent Albania-Ukraine match held in “Air Albania” Stadium, the Albanian fan group Tifozat Kuq e Zi protested against Albania co-hosting the UEFA Under-21 European Championship in 2027 alongside Serbia. The group displayed banners listing atrocities committed by Serbia against Albanians, including war crimes and mass displacements, condemning the collaboration as a betrayal of Albanian history and victims.

The protest follows the May announcement by the Albanian and Serbian Football Federations to jointly organize the tournament. UEFA confirmed that only their bid met the requirements by the recent deadline, effectively positioning them to host the event. According to UEFA Vice President Armand Duka, the collaboration is meant to deliver a strong political message of reconciliation through football. However, it has reignited historical tensions between the two nations, rooted in the Kosovo War and other disputes.

The event marks an effort to unite the Balkan countries under a shared project. Still, it has faced criticism, with fans in both nations expressing disapproval. While the Albanian Federation sees it as a step forward, fan groups like Tifozat Kuq e Zi continue to voice strong opposition, promising more protests until the decision is reconsidered.