Why Switzerland Soccer Players Xherdan Shaqiri And Granit Xhaka Are Under Fire For ‘Eagle’ Goal Celebrations

As Switzerland is taking on Spain in the Euro 2020 Quarterfinals on Friday, many people will have interest in Swiss players Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka.

Both players have been under fire for their goal celebrations earlier in the World Cup, when they celebrated goals by mocking Serbian fans.

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When Shaqiri scored a winner late in the game against Serbia, he made a gesture on his chest to mimic the Albanian flag. He was born Kosovo to Albanian parents, but fled to Switzerland during the war between Kosovo and Switzerland.

Granit Xhaka also used the Albanian flag celebration after his goal in the match.

While Xherdan Shaqiri’s home country, Kosovo, declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, it looks like he still has some bad feelings towards the Serbian people.

Shortly after the celebrations by Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka, the Serbian team called for the players to be suspended.

While FIFA fined the players for “provocative gestures,” they avoided any further punishment and have been free to play all games during the Euro 2020 tournament.

“You can see what I did and I think it’s just emotion. I’m very happy to score this goal. It was nothing more than that. I think we don’t have to speak about this now,” Granit Xhaka said after the Serbia game via The Sun.

He added: “Frankly, my opponents did not interest me at all.

“It was for my people, who always supported me. For those who did not neglect me, in my homeland, where my parents’ roots are. These were purely pure emotions.”

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