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SWITZERLAND’S Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri are the subject of Fifa disciplinary proceedings following their controversial goal celebration against Serbia.
Xhaka and Shaqiri, both of Albanian-Kosovan heritage, celebrated their goals in the 2-1 Group E win by putting their hands together to form a double-headed eagle similar to the one on the Albanian flag.
This nationalist symbol risked inflaming tensions in the Balkans among Serbians and ethnic Albanians. Kosovo, which declared independence in 2013, is recognised by less than three-fifths of UN member states.
Fifa said it was also pursuing the Serbian FA for “crowd disturbance and the display of political and offensive messages by Serbian fans” during the same match, as well as manager “Mladen Krstajic for alleged statements made” afterwards.
Fifa’s disciplinary committee has also sanctioned the Polish FA with a fine of 10,000 Swiss francs after fans displayed a political and offensive banner during the match against Senegal.
The Argentinian FA and Croatian FA have also had disciplinary proceedings opened against them after crowd disturbances.