MX23RW : Saturday, May 4 14:52:21| >> :600:192301:192301:

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:
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
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs341861067541360
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8Chelsea34149116559651
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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!