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Swiss expect no FIFA bans for Xhaka, Shaqiri

Published June 24,2018
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Switzerland's soccer federation president does not expect FIFA to suspend Granit Xhaka and Xherdan Shaqiri for their goal celebrations against Serbia.

Peter Gillieron says he expects a "quick decision" after FIFA announced a disciplinary case late Saturday for the players making hand gestures of a two-headed eagle that is an Albanian national symbol.

Xhaka and Shaqiri have ethnic Albanian heritage linked to Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008. Serbia does not recognize that independence.

Gillieron says in an interview published by Swiss news website "20 Minutes" that "I don't have any concerns" about FIFA's disciplinary committee suspending the players for Switzerland's game against Costa Rica on Wednesday.

FIFA rules prohibit political gestures by players or fans, and let the disciplinary panel act on "serious infringements which have escaped the match officials' attention."

Xhaka and Shaqiri, whose 90th-minute goal gave Switzerland a 2-1 win, would likely have been shown a yellow card at the time for their celebrations.