SWISS TELL GOAL HEROES: NEVER MIND THE BALKANS

GRANIT XHAKA and Xherdan Shaqiri were slammed by the Swiss media for their apparently political goal celebrations in Friday’s 2-1 win over Serbia.

After falling behind in the fifth minute, Switzerland hit back with a thunderbolt from Xhaka (above) and a last-minute breakaway goal from Shaqiri.

Their celebrations were seen by many to have a political message. Both players, who are ethnic Albanians and of Kosovan heritage, celebrated with a gesture which appeared to imitate the eagle displayed on Albania’s flag.

Serbia refuses to recognise the independence of its former province Kosovo, whose 1.8million people are mostly ethnic Albanians, which broke away 10 years ago. The Serbians are reportedly lodging a complaint with FIFA about the Swiss stars’ actions.

Second-generation immigrants from the Balkans have played a huge part in transforming the Swiss national side over the past 10 years.

But a section of the

Swiss press were less than impressed.

“Xherdan Shaqiri and Granit Xhaka have talented feet like no others in the side... but their political sensitivity and social awareness left much to be desired,” said Neue Zurcher Zeitung (NZZ).

The tabloid Blick took a similar line. “Xhaka and Shaqiri... forgot to keep cool heads when they celebrated, and that is the big flaw of this wonderfully stirring evening.”