Rey Manaj's yellow card, after the eagle celebration in Serbia, has brought numerous reactions on social media and many have called for the intervention of the authorities since a footballer cannot be punished for making the national symbol.
However, the Albanian striker has not been punished for the eagle celebration, at least according to the president of the Albanian Football Association, Armand Duka.
Duka told journalist Blendi Fevziu that Manaj was punished for celebrating on the opponents' bench.
"Manaj and any other footballer can celebrate with the eagle whenever they want and will never be punished with a yellow card. The specific case was punished with a yellow card because it was celebrated on the opposing team's bench, which could have been a provocation and brought unrest on the field of play."
"This is an official interpretation, a referee's decision. I said it before, the yellow card is given in other cases, when provoking the opponent, the spectator, or when taking off his shirt after scoring a goal. For celebrating with an eagle, he has not been punished and will not be punished with a yellow card," said President Duka.