MX23RW : Wednesday, March 12 19:42:24| >> :600:9520843:9520843:

Switzerland trio escape bans for 'eagle gesture' goal celebrations

Swiss trio avoid bans for 'eagle gestures'
© Reuters
Switzerland's Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner avoid bans over the "unsporting" gestures they made during the win over Serbia.

Switzerland internationals Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Stephan Lichtsteiner will not be suspended for performing "double eagle gesture" celebrations during their side's 2-1 win over Serbia at the World Cup finals.

The trio were fined by FIFA for their goal celebrations, which were dubbed "unsporting" because the gesture symbolises the national flag of Serbia's bitter rivals Albania but, according to BBC Sport, will not be banned.

Xhaka and Shaqiri are ethnic Albanians from Kosovo and their celebratory gestures were said to have evoked the hostilities between the two nations.

Serbia Football Association president Slavisa Kokeza and Serbia head coach Mladen Krstajic were both fined for comments they made to the press in the wake of the heated encounter, with the former accusing FIFA of bias towards the nation.

The Serbian FA was also fined for the conduct of its travelling supporters during the match, which included bottles being thrown and discriminatory banners being displayed.

ID:329177: cacheID:329177:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2081:
Written by
Mark Langshaw
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Xherdan Shaqiri in action for Switzerland on June 8, 2018
Read Next:
Shaqiri, Xhaka under FIFA investigation
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!