In the build up to tonight's Group E tie between Serbia and Switzerland, much was made of Xherdan Shaqiri's boots. Bearing both the Swiss and Kosovan flag, it is a reflection of Shaqiri's dual-identity; "I was born in Kosovo, but I grew up in Switzerland. I live both mentalities, it's not a big difference."
However, according to a report in The Times, such a decision on Shaqiri's behalf is construed "as inflammatory in Serbia." Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia in 2008, yet, it has yet to be recognised by Serbia itself.
Lending this tie an unexpected political dimension, this is further confounded when one considers the make-up of the Swiss team beyond Shaqiri alone. Of their 23-players at the World Cup, 15 are eligible to play for another country. In their game against Serbia tonight, one of those 15 scored a crucial equalising goal; Granit Xhaka.
A stunning strike from the edge of the box, Xhaka's subsequent celebration has struck many as potentially provocative.
"What an absolute stonker from Granit Xhaka"
Let @HamiltonRTE talk you through this brilliant strike. Live now on @Rte2 and @rteplayer pic.twitter.com/1ZrmWUB5wl— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 22, 2018
Born in Switzerland to Albanian parents, Xhaka was construed to have made a two-headed eagle with his hands whilst celebrating the goal; the symbol on the Albanian flag.
— Yash Jain (@gooneryash) June 22, 2018
What a goal from Xhaka. Had been criticised for not doing enough in first game by Swiss media. Not sure the double eagle celebration was a wise move v Serbia however.
— Raphael Honigstein💙 (@honigstein) June 22, 2018
XHAKA! And he does the Albanian eagle thing with his hands. 1-1!
— James Montague (@JamesPiotr) June 22, 2018
No way did Xhaka just celebrate by doing the Albanian eagle 😂
— Payetista 🇧🇦⚜️ (@BosnianGenius) June 22, 2018
Xhaka what are you doing?
— JustCarl (@CarlosGrisJamon) June 22, 2018
Celebrated and condemned in equal measure, Xhaka's celebration had direct connotations for Switzerland's opponents also.
As reported by The Times; "Despite their silence, this game undoubtedly carries extra meaning. How could it not when the father of Arsenal’s Granit Xhaka spent three and a half years in jail for taking part in demonstrations against the communist government in Belgrade during the Eighties?"
As Switzerland proceeded to score a winner through none other than Shaqiri, sure enough, the celebration was the same.
'He didn't look too fat when he took his shirt off!' Shaqiri celebrates in style as he puts Switzerland ahead in injury time. It's #SRB 1 #SUI 2 in #WorldCup Group E. #RTESoccer
Keep up to date with all that's happening at the World Cup today here: https://t.co/9gPbbBWAg8 pic.twitter.com/KDAFEdTWF7— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) June 22, 2018
And Shaqiri, throws off his shirt and does the Albanian eagle as well! As Switzerland beats Serbia at the death!
— Jonas Adnan Giæver (@CheGiaevara) June 22, 2018
And now both Shaqiri and Xhaka did the Albanian eagle hand celebration...
— Paul Calixte (@paulcalixte1) June 22, 2018
Advocates of Kosovo's right to independence (among other things), the celebration will undoubtedly be a source of some discussion in the weeks to come.
