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Shaqiri & Xhaka celebrations spark scandal as politics overshadows Swiss win against Serbia
Switzerland’s World Cup win over Serbia in Kaliningrad has been overshadowed by celebrations made by the two Swiss goalscorers, Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri, both of whom are of ethnic Albanian descent.
Xhaka struck the Swiss equalizer in the 52nd minute before Shaqiri scored a late winner when he broke free from the half-way line to slot past Serbian goalkeeper Vladimir Stojkovic, handing Switzerland a 2-1 victory.
Both players are of Kosovan-Albanian descent, and appeared to make a winged salute symbolizing the eagle on the Albanian flag.
Shaqiri also played in boots marked with the flags of Switzerland and Kosovo – the breakaway region that is not recognized as independent by dozens of countries, including Serbia and Russia.
The players’ celebrations sparked debate on Twitter, with some questioning the need to mix politics with football, and asking whether world football governing body FIFA would take action.
Will FIFA take action against #SWI players doing political celebrations? No.
— Artur Petrosyan (@arturpetrosyan) June 22, 2018
Shaqiri's cleats - the Swiss flag on one, the Kosovo flag on the other. FIFA has not allowed Kosovo to field a national team. pic.twitter.com/GKmhmyw8l7
— Scott Wilson (@PostScottWilson) June 22, 2018
What a goal from Xhaka. Had been criticised for not doing enough in first game by Swiss media. Not sure the double eagle celebration was a wise move v Serbia however.
— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) June 22, 2018
Granit Xhaka doing the “duart e kryqëzuara” (Albanian eagle gesture) during his goal celebration. Xhaka's father was a political prisoner before emigrating from the former Yugoslavia to Switzerland in 1990. pic.twitter.com/g4igcAPf2m
— Mootaz Chehade (@MHChehade) June 22, 2018
Xhaka doing what appeared to be the Albanian eagle as his celebration after that amazing goal vs Serbia... spot of Balkan politics there #SERSWI
— Faisal Islam (@faisalislam) June 22, 2018
Both Xhaka and Shaqiri with the Albanian eagle... Let's see how FIFA's "keep politics out of sport" thing goes in the coming days. lol.
— Hassan Cheema (@mediagag) June 22, 2018
Swiss coach and player don't want to talk about the Albanian symbols. Reporter: "We cannot gloss over this! The entire world has seen it!"
— Jenna Fryer (@JennaFryer) June 22, 2018
The result moves Switzerland to four points in World Cup Group E, level with Brazil, while Serbia are one point behind.
An incredibly tight finale sees Serbia take on Brazil in Moscow on Wednesday, while Switzerland play a Costa Rica team that already have no hope of making the knockout stages.