Lazio” data-scaytid=”1″>Lazio midfielder Lorik Cana could be facing a minimum six month ban following involvement in clashes during Tuesday’s Serbia-Albania match.
The Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgrade was abandoned following fights between players and fans after a drone bearing a political flag was flown into the stadium.
Lazio midfielder Lorik Cana could be facing a minimum six month ban following involvement in clashes during Tuesday’s Serbia-Albania match.
The Euro 2016 qualifier in Belgrade was abandoned following fights between players and fans after a drone bearing a political flag was flown into the stadium.
UEFA has opened an investigation into the events, with Albania being charged with failing to return to the field of play, and also for displaying the flag in question.
Albania captain Cana was seen fighting with Serbian pitch invaders, and the game descended into chaos.
“I saw a Serbia fan with a chair who attacked my teammates, I had to defend them.” Cana told tanjug.rs in the wake of the match.
However, it is believed that Cana’s actions may lead to a lengthy UEFA ban, with the suspension being anywhere from six months to eighteen months, and Il Tempo report that it will apply at club level too.
The Rome daily recalls a precedent of sorts, when former Milan player Zvonimir Boban was suspended for nine months in 1990 and missed the World Cup, after kicking a police officer to defend a Croatian fan during a fiery clash between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade.
Cana’s father however, is confident his son will be cleared of any wrongdoing, and insists the player has no problem with Serbia.
“We await the decision of UEFA” Agim Cana has told calciomercato.it.
“Am I worried about Lorik? No, we don’t think he’ll be banned.
“I’m proud of my son. He respects every nation. His reaction was justified, he was defending a teammate from an animal who had run onto the pitch.
“He’s a smart guy, and at the end of the game he greeted all of the Serbian players. Their [the Serbian players’] behaviour was exemplary.
“He [Cana] and [Serbian players Dusan] Basta and [Filip] Djordjevic are brothers at Lazio.”