Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka and Stoke City winger Xherdan Shaqiri are set to face repercussions for their celebrations in Switzerland’s 2-1 win over Serbia last night.
The Swiss overturned an early goal from Newcastle striker Aleksandr Mitrovic to come away 2-1 victors in the World Cup group stage match-up last night, leaving them in pole position to qualify from Group E.
The side are likely to come under scrutiny from FIFA for the players celebrations however, with the two goalscorers, who were both born in Kosovo, making political gestures whilst celebrating their goals against Serbia, a country who refuses to acknowledge the independence of their birth-country.
The duo are likely to be allowed to continue playing in the tournament without playing repercussions, but a fine is expected to be dished out to both players, and possibly to the FA of Switzerland also for breach of rules.
On a plus-note however, Granit scored a screamer from way out in order to level the tie, and his emphatic goal should be the biggest talking point from the last-gasp win, but unfortunately the players decided their political cause deserved to take centre stage.
The Gunners midfielder had a Kosovo flag on one his boots for the match-up, which isn’t believed to be an issue, but there is strict guidelines on political showings during goal celebrations.
Are the players wrong for marring the win with their political views? Did their views help the stars to up their game in order to hurt their opposing side?
Pat J