XtraTime Web Desk: Switzerland football team is in deep trouble as their star footballers Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri may face two-match bans for their goal celebrations during their match against Serbia.
FIFA is investigating whether they broke any rules with their celebration or hurt the sentiments.
Both the footballers are Albanians from Kosovo, where the Serbian military attacked the Albanian population which ended by Nato’s military intervention back in 1999.
They showed ‘double eagle’ sign after scoring, symbolizing the Albanian flag.
Under article 54 of the governing body’s disciplinary code, “anyone who provokes the general public during a match will be suspended for two matches and sanctioned with a minimum fine of 5,000 Swiss francs (£3,800)”.
There are rumors that FIFA has plans to call expert witnesses to explain how goal celebrations by footballers can provocate others.
If Fifa’s gives them the punishment, then the players would miss the last Group E game against Costa Rica and the last-16 match if their nation qualify.
On Saturday, Fifa confirmed its disciplinary committee had opened proceedings against Xhaka and Shaqiri, adding, “In relation to the same match, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the Serbian FA for crowd disturbance and the display of political and offensive messages by Serbian fans.
“Furthermore, a preliminary investigation has been opened against the coach of the Serbian national team, Mladen Krstajic, for alleged statements made in the aftermath of the said match.”
It is unclear what the investigation into Krstajic refers to, but in comments to Serbian reporters on Saturday, he said of match referee Felix Brych: “I wouldn’t give him either a yellow or red card, I would send him to The Hague. Then they could put him on trial, like they did to us.”
After the game, which his side won 2-1, Switzerland’s Bosnia-born manager Vladimir Petkovic was asked about the celebrations and said: “You should never mix football and politics. It’s important to be a fan, and to give respect.
“It was a wonderful atmosphere and that’s what support should be about.”