FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri following their controversial goal celebrations in the 2-1 win over Serbia on Friday.
Arsenal’s Xhaka and Shaqiri of Stoke – who are of Albanian-Kosovan heritage – celebrated their goals in the World Cup Group E win by putting their hands together to form a double-headed eagle, representative of the one on the Albanian flag.
The nationalist symbol risked inflaming tensions in the Balkans among Serbians – who do not recognise Kosovo’s independence – and ethnic Albanians.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened disciplinary proceedings against the Swiss players Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri for their goal celebration during the match Switzerland vs. Serbia,” FIFA said in an official statement.