On Friday evening, Switzerland and Serbia fought a highly emotional duel for a place in the round of 16. In the end, the Confederates got the upper hand. During the game, referee Fernando Rapallini not only drew eleven yellow cards and had to break up a pack shortly before the end. Granit Xhaka also caused a stir - once again.
The Arsenal pro had already provoked the Serbs four years ago at the World Cup in Russia. Xhaka (and team-mate Xherdan Shaquiri) then celebrated their two goals to make it 2-1 with the double-headed eagle gesture - an action intended to emphasize Kosovo's demarcation from Serbia. Shaquiri and Xhaka's family roots are in Kosovo, which has been considered independent by most states since 2008. Serbia, however, still regards Kosovo as part of its own territory.
Yesterday evening Xhaka provoked the Serbs again - but this time much more subtly than four years ago. In the second round he got into conflict with the Serbian bank and then grabbed his crotch. The midfielder may have to face a penalty from Fifa for this gesture.
He was more skilful in his pro-Kosovo political message. After the game, Xhaka donned his teammate Ardon Jashari's shirt, names first. Jashari is also the name of a well-known Kosovar independence fighter, explains Sportbuzzer, who campaigned for independence from Serbia in the 1990s. Jashari later founded a separatist militia and died in a Serbian anti-terrorist operation in 1998
At the subsequent press conference, Xhaka emphasized that he did not want to send a political message. He wore the jersey because his 20-year-old colleague Jashari reminded him of the beginnings of his own career. "I told him before the game that if I score a goal or we win, I'll put his jersey on." Given this statement, Fifa will find it difficult to prosecute the 30-year-old. Nevertheless, everyone seems to have gotten the message.
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This article was originally published on 90min.de as Heated duel between Switzerland and Serbia: This is behind Xhaka's provocations.
