Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic said that politics and football should “never mix” after two players celebrated goals in a 2-1 victory over Serbia with political gestures.
Xherdan Shaqiri’s last minute winner capped an impressive comeback for the Swiss in an eventful Group E encounter in Kaliningrad after Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka levelled following Aleksandar Mitrovic’s opener.
Both Shaqiri and Xhaka trace their roots back to Kosovo, a former province of Serbia, a fact that stoked tensions before and during Friday’s clash.
Both Shaqiri and Xhaka pointedly celebrated scoring by making a ‘double eagle’ gesture with their hands representing the Kosovo flag, viewed as a symbol of defiance.
lthough the win puts Switzerland in pole position to make it out of a tough group containing five-times winners Brazil, Petkovic was unimpressed with his players’ celebrations.
“You should never mix politics and football, it’s good to be a fan and important to show respect,” he told reporters after the game.
“It’s clear that emotions surface. I think on and off the pitch we need to steer away from politics in football and we should focus on this as a sport that brings people together.”
Shaqiri had been booed relentlessly by Serbia fans throughout a high-quality match, but the Stoke City forward had the last laugh with his last ditch winner.
“In football you have always emotions and you can see what I did and it’s just emotion,” he said in reference to his controversial celebration.
“I’m very happy to score the goal, that’s all.”