sportbible homepage
sportbible homepage
  • Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • World Cup
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Manchester United
    • Liverpool
    • Arsenal
    • Real Madrid
    • Barcelona
  • Formula 1
    • Red Bull
    • Ferrari
    • McLaren
    • Mercedes
    • Max Verstappen
    • Lewis Hamilton
    • Lando Norris
    • George Russell
    • Charles Leclerc
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • More Sport
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • NBA
    • NFL
    • Darts
    • Athletics
    • Rugby
    • Wrestling
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Snapchat
TikTok
Threads
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • LADbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Arsenal star could face FIFA investigation as shirt controversy overshadows World Cup win

Home> Football

Updated 10:27 3 Dec 2022 GMTPublished 10:14 3 Dec 2022 GMT

Arsenal star could face FIFA investigation as shirt controversy overshadows World Cup win

It occurred in Friday's match between Switzerland and Serbia.

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka could reportedly face a FIFA investigation following his side's victory over Serbia at the World Cup.

Switzerland booked their place in the last 16 of the competition with a 3-2 win on Friday.

After Aleksandar Mitrovic had cancelled out Xherdan Shaqiri's opener for Switzerland, Serbia then took the lead through Dusan Vlahovic.

But goals either side of half-time from Breel Embolo and Remo Freuler secured victory for Switzerland, who will now face Portugal in the round of 16 – with Serbia exiting the tournament.

Advert

Around an hour into the match, Arsenal midfielder Xhaka angered the Serbian bench after appearing to grab his crotch in their direction.

The gesture prompted several Serbian players to run onto the pitch and confront Xhaka, who was booked by the referee.

After full-time, Xhaka was involved in another controversial moment after he was seen wearing a shirt with the name 'Jashari' on the back.

Asked afterwards what it meant, Xhaka claimed there was no "political background to it whatsoever" - stating it was for his Switzerland teammate Ardon Jashari.

However, it is also the surname of Adem Jashari - a founder of the Kosovo Liberation Army, a Kosovo Albanian separatist group that fought for independence from the former Yugoslavia.

Xhaka and his Swiss teammate Shaqiri are both of ethnic Albanian heritage linked to Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in 2008.

Xhaka captained Switzerland to victory over Serbia at the World Cup (Image: Alamy)
Xhaka captained Switzerland to victory over Serbia at the World Cup (Image: Alamy)

It is the not the first time Xhaka has been involved in a controversial incident against Serbia.

Both he and Shaqiri were fined by FIFA in 2018 for make an eagle gesture, associated with Albania, after scoring against Serbia at the World Cup in Russia.

Xhaka potentially facing FIFA investigation

PA, as reported by the Daily Express, have indicated that Xhaka could now be the subject of a FIFA investigation over his latest gesture.

Switzerland boss Murat Yakin said he will "wait and see" if action is taken against Xhaka.

"We will enjoy this moment, it cost us a lot of emotions and energy. It was a fair match," he said.

"Before the game a lot of people were talking about the situation but we were able to face that challenge.

"We are happy we are moving on. Everything else is speculation and we will wait and see."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Football, Arsenal, Switzerland, Granit Xhaka, Serbia, Football World Cup

Rory O'Callaghan
Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA.

X

@rory_ocallaghan

Recommended reads

Dennis Taylor interview: Why snooker legend is playing in brand-new event... and how he saved someone's lifeGettyRanking the top 10 best golfers of all time as Nicklaus v Woods GOAT debate settledGetty ImagesDavid Munyua and Peter Wachiuri interview: 'We wish for major PDC players to come and visit Kenya'Getty / Instagram/@wachiuridartsMark Selby lifts lid on backstage talks over Crucible as landmark agreement reachedGetty

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
4 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • Getty
    an hour ago

    Chelsea vs Leeds United: Inside a brutal rivalry built on hatred, hooliganism and chaos

    The sides will go head to head in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday.

    Football
  • X
    4 hours ago

    York City star punches fan after being pinned to floor during promotion celebrations

    The incident occurred during York's celebrations after securing promotion to League Two.

    Football
  • Getty Images
    5 hours ago

    Never mind the Premier League, the Polish title race is the most ridiculous in the world

    There is a title race in the Premier League between Manchester City and Arsenal but it does not compare to the battle in the Ekstraklasa.

    Football
  • Getty
    5 hours ago

    Mo Salah has played last game for Liverpool as Arne Slot provides heartbreaking update

    A sad ending to the Liverpool legend's time at Anfield.

    Football
  • Mexican president confirms decision on Iran’s request to move FIFA World Cup matches out of US
  • FIFA Open Official Investigation That Could Stop Nation Qualifying for World Cup
  • World Cup nation could 'face ban from tournament' as FIFA rules made clear
  • World Cup Nations Could Face FIFA Ban if They Boycott 2026 Tournament Over Trump