Ex-Fifa official: Arsenal star Granit Xhaka could face extended ban as controversial image emerges
Arsenal ace Granit Xhaka could face a ban and miss Switzerland’s World Cup round of 16 game with Portugal on Tuesday (6 December), according to Keith Hackett.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee delivered his verdict after Xhaka donned a ‘Jashiari’ shirt after Switzerland’s 3-2 win over Serbia last week (2 December).
Jashiari is the surname of his Switzerland teammate Ardon Jashari but also of Adem Jashari, founder of the Kosovo Liberation Army and a symbol of Kosovar independence.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008 but is yet to be recognised by Serbia.
As quoted by football.london after the game, Xhaka insisted the gesture was not political “whatsoever”.
Former Kosovo president Behgjet Pacolli took to Twitter on Sunday (4 December) to offer to pay any fine the 30-year-old receives.
“The fact is, he’s not allowed to do that,” Hackett told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“He’s not allowed to raise his shirt, even after the game, and show any type of statement. Even if that’s ‘Happy Birthday’ to his brother, sister or mother. You can’t have messages on his undergarment.
“There will be retrospective punishment and he could be banned but I would expect a fine.
“The disciplinary panel at the World Cup is pretty quick at dealing with these matters, they meet almost on a daily basis.”
Xhaka won his 110th international cap in the 3-2 win over Serbia.
If Switzerland beat Portugal it will be the first time they have reached the quarter-finals of the competition since 1954.
In other news, Arsenal have set their sights on two January signings as a £50million raid is plotted.